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THE 

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 



THE 

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

A PLAY IN THREE ACTS 
BY 

DAVID CARB 



BOSTON 
THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY 
1912 



Copyfight, 191 2, by 
THE FOUR SEAS COMPANY 

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



7£>3 r ° r 



iH4- 



THE FOUR SEAS PRESS 
SHARON, MASS. 0. S. A. 



JUN" 10 1914 



©C1A376331 
*4/ 



THE CHARACTERS OF THE PLAY 

Dan Magee. 

Tom Foley. 

Bob Johnson. 

David . 

Flynn, a Ward heeler. 

Jennings. 

Alice Magee, Magee's wife. 

Cathleen O'Donovan. 

Mrs. Johnson. 

Mary Johnson, her daughter. 

Becky. 

Sally, a maid. 

Magee's Constituents. 

The action takes place in Magee's house in a large city 

at the present time. 
ACT I. Magee's office — the first floor — Five weeks 

elapse. 
ACT II. Mrs. Magee's sitting-room — the second floor. 
ACT III. Magee's sanctum — the third floor — A few 

days later. 



THE 

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

ACT I. 

The reception-room^office on the first floor of Magee's 
house. The room — spacious, decorous, with a crys- 
tal chandelier and a marble fireplace — was evidently 
designed by people of taste, but now many of the 
crystals have vanished from the chandelier, the 
furniture is comfortable but ill-assorted, the pic- 
tures were selected merely to fill space. 

In the back wall are two doors, the one to the left leads 
to the front hall from which stairs ascend; the 
other, on the right, opens into a back hall. In the 
right wall is a door into the dining-room, and in 
the left wall a cramped bow-window. There is a 
large oval table in front and to the left, several 
locked cabinets and files against the walls; a large 
liquor cabinet on which are things to smoke. The 
fireplace is cold — a gilded steam radiator stands be- 
side it. 

When the curtain rises, Sally is cleaning the room. 
She is a bit slovenly in appearance, and in habits. 
She blows the dust off the mantel-shelf, flaps a rag 

in 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

on the radiator, kicks a scrap of paper under the 
rug. 

A key clicks in a lock — a door outside opens. Magee's 
large, breezy voice is heard in the hall. 

Magee. Come in — come in — don't hold back. What* re 
ye afraid of? Ain't I yer friend an' ain't this me 
house? [Genially] Hustle — hustle — there's a bite 
o* breakfast an' — [mysteriously] an' maybe a drop 
o' somethin' for ye inside. [Murmurs, laughs, 
"ahs"~\ Go right into the first door ye come to. 
[Several women appear at the door, hesitate, lean 
forward and peek in] Don't be scared — ain't nothin* 
goin' to hurt ye. [They sidle into the room] Here, 
Flynn, help Jim Sullivan. [Men, women and chil- 
dren have been coming in. The outer door slams. 
Magee pushes his way through the crowd and 
enters, assisting, with the aid of Flynn, an old man 
with a crutch. The Johnsons are helping Becky 
Rubinsky, who has a bandaged foot and a stick, is 
pale and very nervous. The Johnsons place her in 
a chair well down in front. It is a miserable crowd 
— several Irish and Jewish men and women with 
their children, one woman with an infant. The 
women have bundled themselves and their children 
hastily in odds and ends of clothing, shawls, cheap 
mangy furs, mother hubbards. They all look as 
though they had just dropped their domestic, or 
other work. They wear kimonos, old skirts and 

[2] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

shirtwaists, one a nightgown and a shawl. . . . The 

children cling to their parents. There is a con- 
spicuous absence of young men.] 
The Crippled Man. It come near bein' the death o' 

me — that there fire. 
A Large Irish Woman. The first thing I thought on 

when I smelled the smoke was — "merciful Saints, 

an' its ole Jim Sullivan will be burnin' this day or 

mebbe chokin' to death wid de smoke." 
Sullivan. An' I would 'uv, too, but for Dan Magee 

— an' he carryin' me down to safety. [Murmurs 

of agreement.] 
Johnson. [They have made Becky comfortable] Now, 

let's get out o' here. 
Becky. [Clasping Mrs. Johnson's arm] You vill not 

leaf me? 
Mrs. Johnson. [To her husband] Can't we stay with 

her, Bob? 
Johnson. I don't want to be in his house. 
Mrs. Johnson. Just a little while. 
Johnson. [Angrily] I don't want to have nothin' to 

do with Magee. 
Mrs. Johnson. The poor girl is alone. 
Johnson. Oh, all right. [He takes his little girl to 

the bow-window. Magee has been in the dining 

room.] 
Magee. [Returning] Grub'll be ready in a minute. Sit 

down, if ye can find seats. [They remain stand- 

[3] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

ing] Come — come — don't be so cut-up. What's a 
fire? In a few days when ye're settled in nice, 
clean places ye'll be sayin' what a mercy it was 
that that old ramshackle of a tenement was burned 
down — an' nobody hurt. 

A Jew. But ve vas hurt, Mr. Magee. Ve lost all our 
goods. 

Several Women. [Moaning] Aie, aie, aie. . . . 

Gans. [He and Flynn are ward heelers] But de insur- 
ance, Goldgraber, huh? You ain' got it no in- 
surance, huh? [He laughs and cheers the mam, up.] 

The Man. [Shrugging] It ain't much. . . . 

An Irish Boy. [Screaming shrilly] Me wagin's gone. 
Oh, oh, oh, I want me new shiny wagin. 

His Mother. Be still, will ye? 

The Boy. I want me wagin. I want me red wagin. . . . 

Magee. Close up, Jim — ye'll get another. 

The Boy. But I want me new, shiny wagin. . . . 
[Magee cheers him up.] 

An Irishman. It's hard set we'll be to git clothes an* 
,coal an' the cold winter comin' on. It's hard set 
we'll be, Ellen. 

His Wife. We will that, surely. 

An Old Woman. [Taking up the moan] An' the cold 
winter comin' on — the bleak, cold winter. . . . 

Magee. [Heartily] Don't ye be takin' on, Mother 
Murphy ; trust to the Saints, and Dan Magee. [He 
is wearing a derby and a cigar with a band on. A 

[4] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

large man, he is, with a moustache and shrewd eyes. 

Otherwise he looks as commonplace as the dull 

colors of his clothes.] 
The Old Woman. [Responding to the touch on her 

arm] Oh, it's always the good lad ye were, Dan 

Magee. 
A Man in His Thirties. [Suddenly, brusquely] I'll 

be goin'. [He starts to break through the crowd.] 
Magee. [Catching his sleeve] Choke it, Sam, choke it. 
Sam. Oh, hell, what's the use? 
Magee. What's eatin' ye? 
Sam. Just one damned thing after another. 
Magee. [Tenderly] What is it, Sam? 
Sam. My invention — it was nearly done — 
Magee. You can make it again. 
Sam. Yes, mebbe. But, where in hell d'ye think I'll 

git another coil? 
Magee. Maybe — maybe hell'll cough it up for ye. [He 

winks, but Sam is dejected] Come, have a drink. 

Buck, Gans, here, git out the Saints' own stuff fer 

happiness — in that there thingamadodger. [He 

points to the cabinet. Flynn and Gans have been 

cheering the victims. Now Gans goes into the 

dining-room for glasses. Flynn brings a bottle to 

the table. Magee draws the cork and pours. The 

heelers pass the drinks.] 
Johnson. [At the bow-window, to Flynn] Thanks, I 

don't want none. 

[5] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Flynn. Oh, pitch in. D'ye care, Mrs. Johnson? 

Mrs. Johnson. [A frail, little woman, very pale] Bob 
knows what's best for him. 

Johnson. [A sturdy, tender, determined American 
workingman.] I don't want none. 

Magee. [From the table] Come on, Johnson. It's on 
me. 

Johnson. Don't think I'll have any o' your booze, Mr. 
Magee. 

Magee. [Quickly — angrily] Huh? [Calming] Mighty 
good booze, mine is. [Flynn offers him a glass] 
Everybody got some? [Flynn nods, and takes a 
glass. Magee takes it from his hand] Let the other 
man drink, Buck. [Aloud] Here goes. [He lifts 
an empty glass and pretends to drink.] 

Harrigan. [An old man] Here's to Dan Magee. 

Mrs. Harrigan. Fred, don't, don't, ye've got to work 
today. 

Harrigan. Jest a drop, me dear. 

Mrs. Harrigan. Oh, no, no, no. I couldn't stand fer 
ye to fall back into yer old ways on top o' this 
day's misery. 

Harrigan. Oh, the devil. I want it. [Loudly] Here's 
to Dan Magee. 

[The cry is taken up. They are about to drink 
when the doorbell rings violently. The door is 
slammed and David, a young Polish Jew, breaks 
through the crowd, gases about wildly and rushes 

[6] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

to Becky. He falls beside her, buries his face in 

her lap and sobs violently.] 
David. Becky — Becky — Oh, I vas afraid. You're nod 

hurd, Becky? You're nod hurd? . . . 
Becky. [Weeping also] David — my lofe — David— 

you'fe come at last. 
David. I did nod hear, Becky. I did nod hear of it 

till now. Oh, vad a schlemiel! Vad a schlemiel! 

You in danger and sorrow and I nod dere! Gott 

in Heafen — I nod dere — I nod dere. . . . 
Becky. I am veil, my heart — see, I am nod harmed. . . . 
David. I vas nod dere to help you. . . . [Suddenly] 

Nod again, Becky — today ve marry — today, Becky. 
Becky. No — no — no. . . ♦ 
David. Let us nod be longer afraid of death — let us 

be togeder, vheder ve starfe or lif, let us be to- 

gedder, lof. Den vill I alvays be near to help 

you. . . . [He looks at her breathlessly.] 
Becky. [Quietly, joyous] Yes — today, my heart. 

[There is an ecstatic moment of silence, then he 

springs to his feet.] 
Becky. [Frightened] You vill not leaf me again, 

David? 
David. I go but for de papers, my lof, und to tell 

Rabbi Atoski to make ready. Den vill I come for 

you — for alvays. [He rushes out.] 
Becky. David — David — take me, leaf me not here 

alone. 

[7] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Mrs. Johnson. [Coming to her quickly] I'll stay with 
you, my dear. Put your head on my shoulder. 
Don't be afraid, dear, just think I'm your mother. 
. . . [The two women cry.] 

An Irishman. The poor darlint. [There is a loud gen- 
eral sigh followed by relaxation, murmuring and 
chattering. Johnson puts Mary, his six-year old 
daughter, on his shoulder and looks out of the win- 
dows.] 

Johnson. [His voice breaks] You've got a mama r 
Mary, oh, such a mama! 

Mary. [In a loud whisper] Is de lady Mama's baby,, 
too? 

Johnson. Such a mama, Mary! 

Mary. I love you, too, papa. [Her mouth is at his 
ear.] 

Magee. [Kissing a baby] What fine, curly hair she's 
got. 

The Mother. [Proudly] It's a boy. 

Magee. It's many a tender woman's heart will be set 
thumpin' at the sight o' them curls. [The mother 
nods a "did ye hear' nod to a friend.] 

An Old Man. I've lost me pipe. 

Magee. Here's one o' mine. 

The Old Man. For keeps? [Magee nods] Oh, I 
couldn't be takin' your pipe. [He shows it to a 
friend.] 

Mrs. Harrigan. Not another one, Fred — no more. 

[8] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

[Harrigan takes another glass.] 
A Woman. I was the first to smell the smoke. "Holy 

Saints," I says, "Somethin's burnin'." 
Another. Beggin' yer pardon, Mrs. O'Brien, it was 

me was in the hallway first an' lettin' out yells 

would drown the noise of the fire bells thimsilves.. 
The First Woman. It was me, I tell ye, was cleanin' 

me iron skillet for the stew whin — [They argue 

furiously.] 
A Young Girl. The album's burned, ma — an' poor 

Simon's picture. . . . 
The Mother. Aie, aie, aie. . . . [They weep.] 
Mrs. Scully. [Looking about fearfully as she plucks 

Magee' s sleeve] Mr. Magee. 
Magee. Ah, Mrs. Scully — 
Mrs. Scully. Mr. Magee, me — me weddin' certificate 

got burned up. Will it make any difference 'tween 

Scully an' me? [She waits breathlessly for his 

answer.] 
An Older Woman. I'll swear before all the Saints I 

seen ye an' Scully tied up. I got so drunk — 
Mrs. Scully. We are married still, ain't we, Mr. 

Magee ? 
Magee. Sure, Mrs. Scully. Don't ye bother yer little 

head. 
Mrs. Scully. Scully ain't been comin' home much 

lately, an' I was af eared he'd not be showin' up- 

at all, if he knew we wasn't married no more. 

[9] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. Licence or no licence, ye' re married tight. 

Didn't Father Curran say so? 
Mrs. Scully. [Relieved] Yes. [She runs her sleeve 

over her eyes.] 
Magee. [Giving his handkerchief] Take this, me girl. 

[She uses it, and keeps it. A woman offers her a 

glass.] 
Mrs. Scully. I don't drink. 
The Woman. Come on. It goes illigant for home 

troubles. [Mrs. Scully turns away] Well, the 

blessin' o' God on ye. [She tosses it off.] 
Magee. [To Mary Johnson] Give us a kiss, sister. 

[Mary draws away] Come on — 
Johnson. Let her alone. 
Magee. [Angrily'] Come on. [He snatches for the 

child. Johnson draws her away] I will — [Sally 

comes up.] 
Sally. Grub's ready. 
Magee. [Glares at Johnson. Then he turns smiling 

and says loudly] Grub's ready — step right in— 

[And they step lively.] 
A Woman. They can't be enuf grub for us all. 
Magee. Plenty — plenty — 
Mrs. Scully. They surely ain't enuf. I — I ain't a bit 

hungry. I had a fillin' supper last night. [She 

laughs feebly] So I'll be goin'. 
Magee. [Heartily — pushing her towards the dining- 
room] Git along — git along. There's grub fer fifty. 

[10] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

A Jew. Kosher meat? 

Magee. All kinds o' meat. Jew an* Christian. 

A Woman. Ye never fergit nothin', Dan Magee. 

A Man. They ain't no fergit in Dan Magee. 

Magee. Now, laugh — all of ye — laugh hearty. Don't 
ye let me hear a groan or the splash of a tear or 
I'll — I'll — well, ye'll hear from me. 

A Woman. [Wiping her eyes] I jist can't help it when 
I think how good ye are — 

Magee. Cut out the worry. Ain't they enuf worry 
in the world fer ye to crack yer face into a smile 
when ye git a good breakfast? I tell ye I'll fix 
everything all right, and don't Dan Magee always 
keep his word? [Loud shouts of "yes," "always" 
"sure do" etc.] I'll see that me friends don't suffer. 

A Man. What'd we ever do without him? [Several 
lift their hands as though they had been asked what 
they would do without God.] 

Another Man. They ain't none like you, Dan Magee. 
[With such exclamations they hasten out.] 

Sally. There's a man, Jennings is his name, waitin r 
for you in the kitchen. 

Magee. Oh, tell him to wait. [Sally goes. Flynn and 
Gans have taken the crippled Sullivan into the 
dining-room. Magee looks uncertainly at Johnson, 
then at Mrs. Johnson whose arm is about Becky 
— the two women are exchanging confidences. 
Johnson looks furtively at his wife. There is a 

tin 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE ' 

silence — uncomfortable for the two men.] 

Mary. Papa, I'm hungwy. 

Johnson. You'll git somethin' in a little while. 

Mary. I want it now. 

Magee. Won't ye — won't ye take her in, Johnson? 

Johnson. We ain't hungry. [Brusquely.] 

Mary. [Loudly in her father's ear] I is, papa. 

Magee. [With returning sureness] Come wid me, me 
dear — I'll give ye all ye can eat. [Mary tries to 
struggle from her father's arms. She whispers.] 

Mrs. Johnson. What's the matter, baby? 

Mary. [Running to her mother] I'm hungwy, an' de 
man says he'll give me breakfas' an' papa won't 
go an' — 

Magee. Oh, come on — all of ye. 

Becky. I'm too — too excited to eat. 

Johnson. Let's be goin', dear. [Mrs. Johnson hesi- 
tates.] 

Becky. Oh, stay not for me, Mrs. Johnson. 

Mrs. Johnson. She has no mother, Bob. 

Johnson. Excuse me — we're stayin' for the weddin', 
Becky. [He sits. His wife looks at him grate- 
fully.] 

Mary. [Tugging at his hand] Come on, I'm hungwy. 

Magee. Well, now, since ye're stayin', why can't we 
all have a bite an' a little glass o' somethin' — 

Johnson. [Hotly] I tell you — no. 

Mrs. Johnson. Bob! Becky, dear, you'd better go. 

[12] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

You'll need strength. 
Becky. If you belief so. 
Mary. Me, too. [She takes Becky's hand. Both men 

assist Becky to the dining-room whence arises a 

babel of voices, clattering of dishes. . . . Johnson 

returns with the reluctant, whimpering Mary. 

Magee follows.] 
Magee. Ye're cruel to the kid. 
Johnson. Becky's in good hands now, dear. 
Mrs. Johnson. But we came here because she didn't 

have anyone else. 
Johnson. We've got to find a place to live, an' I've 

got to hunt a job. 
Magee. Ye're a plumber, ain't ye? 
Johnson. Yes. 
Magee. Why, I happen to know jest the thing fer ye. 

Lucky, ain't it? Jest put yourselves in me hands — 
Mrs. Johnson. [Quickly] We can't do that, Mr. 

Magee. 
Magee. Why can't ye? [Mrs. Johnson plays with 

Mary's hair.] 
Johnson. [Bluntly] Because we ain't sure what your 

hands have been doin'. [Magee takes an angry 

step towards him — then he opens the dining-room 

door.] 
Magee. Fixed all right? [Gay murmur of assent.] 
Johnson. My God, I've got to have work — an' here's 

a chance. 

[13] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Mrs. Johnson. Remember our promise. 

Johnson. But — 

Mrs. Johnson. To go straight for Mary's sake. 

Magee. [Returning] Look here, ye're all wrong about" 

me, Johnson. I'm rich — is that a crime? Wouldn't 

ye be if ye could? 
Mrs. Johnson. I dunno. . . . 
Magee. Well, rich men have duties. An' the first one 

is to help the — er — them that ain't got on so fast. 
Johnson. So that's why you're wastin' so much time 

on us. 
Magee. [Smugly — rubbing his hands] That's why — me 

duty to me fellow men. 
Johnson. Mr. Magee, we come from New England, 

me an' my wife, an' it's sorter in our blood not to- 

want to be took care of — nursed — 
Magee. Nursed! Didn't you people elect me to look 

after yer interests? 
Johnson. I didn't help — to elect you. 
Magee. Well — well — that's a mistake ye'll git over. 

Now look at the thing straight. Yer out of a job 

— yer wife's overworked — yer kid's growin' up. 

Ye're in my district. I can fix ye up fine. Ain't 

it me duty to do it? An' ain't it yer duty to take- 
it fer yer wife an' baby? 
Johnson. What'll it cost us? 
Magee. Nothin'. 
Johnson. Come on — what'll it cost? 

[14] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. I'm straight. I never went back on a friend. 
Well, yer straight, too, Johnson — yer that kind. Ye 
won't go back on a friend. It's a swap. 

Mrs. Johnson. [Quickly] Bob don't need to worry — 
I've got plenty of washins'. Ain't it a mercy, Bob, 
that this is Sat'day an' all the washin's was sent 
home yestiday, an' none burned? 

Magee. Now, when ye git this job — 

Johnson. Nothin' doin', Mr. Magee. I ain't goin' to 
be one o' your boys — heelers — whatever you call 
'em — so that's all to be said. 

Magee. An' ye'll do without a job. 

Johnson. We'll live somehow. 

Magee. Ye don't mind livin' on yer wife, do ye, 
Johnson ? 

Johnson. [Hotly] See here — 

Mrs. Johnson. That's our business, Mr. Magee. [She 
clasps her husband's arm protectingly. Becky re- 
turns with a sandwich for Mary. Mary seises it.] 

Johnson. Let it alone, Mary. [Mary bites it.] 

Mrs. Johnson. There's no harm, Bob. A bite of food 
can't buy us. 

Magee. Of course not. Ye're so suspicious, Johnson. 
Give the kid some grub. 

Mrs. Johnson. Let's do, Bob — she's so hungry. It 
won't hurt nothin'. [He shrugs] Come on with us. 
[He assists Becky.] 

Johnson. [At the door] But listen here, Mr. Magee, 

[15] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

my wife an' me ain't eatin' nothin'. [They go out^ 
Magee shakes his fist after them. Then he calif 
Flynn.] 

Magee. Damn his hide. 

Flynn. [Smoking a cigarette] What's wrong? 

Magee. It's that stubborn fool, Johnson. He ain't got 
a penny — he lives off'n his wife. An' yet he comes 
snoopin' aroun' here lookin' down on me just like 
I was one o' them dishonest grafters. 

Flynn. He don't cut no ice. 

Magee. Yes, he does. That there reformer, Puss or 
Pierce or whatever he calls himself, is a wise guy.- 
But I'm goin' to wallop him so hard this election 
he won't show his snoot aroun' here till monkeys 
an' women vote. 

Flynn. [Pumping] How're ye goin' to swing Johnson? 

Magee. My business, me boy. Well, what's doin' 
today ? 

Flynn. Maggie Maloney ties up Monday. 

Magee. Let's see. . . . Jest how many votes is she con- 
nected with? 

Flynn. Two brothers an' a uncle. 

Magee. Brothers married? 

Flynn. Nope. 

Magee. Keepin' company? 

Flynn. Jis' flirtin' aroun'. 

Magee. Four votes. [He unlocks a cabinet and re- 
veals an assortment of showy china, cut glass and 

[16] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

German silver.] 

Magee. [With a cut glass vase] No — this is good for 
two votes. 

Flynn. Becky and David are tyin' up. 

Magee. This is too good for 'em. David won't ever 
be much use. [Selecting a small nut dish] This is 
about their measure. [He locks the cabinet.] 

Johnson. [From the dining-room] You can't have no 
more, Mary. 

Magee. [His jaws snap] Look here, Flynn — we've got 
to git Johnson. An' in five weeks, too, before the 
'lection. He can't stand out against Dan Magee. 
He's the kind of man that gits other men. 

Flynn. What d'ye want me to do? 

Magee. I'll fire ye if he gits a job in this district. An' 
don't ye let it leak out, either. Pierce 'ud bite into 
it. Pierce an' the Civil Service law is ruinin' the 
nation. There can't be no real patriotism with them 
things goin' on. How' re ye goin' to interest young 
men in their country if ye ain't got no jobs to give 
'em when they work for the party? 

Flynn. Ye can't do it. 

Magee. They say: "What's the use o' bein' patriotic 
an' workin' for yer country anyhow? They ain't 
nothin' in it." An' that makes 'em Anarchists. 

Flynn. Ye bet it does. 

Magee. Well, I'll wallop Pierce. 

Flynn. Ye ain't never been downed yet. 

[17] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. An' I'll git Johnson. 

Flynn. Sure thing. 

Magee. Watch me smoke him out o' his fancy little 
dream. An' jes' ye watch me smoke. [The door- 
bell rings. Magee looks at the clock] It can't be 
them a' ready. 

Flynn. Expectin' somebody? 

Magee. Me niece from Ireland — me dead sister's only 
child. She's comin' to live with me. Tom an' Mrs. 
Magee have gone for her. This here fire kept me 
back. [David rushes in.] 

David. Ve ain'd got a licence — und dey costs a dollar 
und a half — und — und — 

Magee. [Slapping him on the back] An' ye ain't got 
it. [David hangs his head] Well, I'll lend it to ye. 

David. Ah-h. Safior. . . . 

Magee. But don't ye fergit that Dan Magee sticks to 
his friends. Ye do the same, me boy. 

David. I fergit! Ach Gott! Safior of us all. [Tak- 
ing the money] I know not how to be grateful 
enough. . . . 

Magee. [Jovially but significantly] There's a 'lection 
comin' off in five weeks. 

David. Ah, yes — yes — und I vill tell all vhat you haf 
done for us — all — all — all — shall know. On Mon- 
day I pay you back. [He stoops suddenly and 
kisses Magee's hand, then he runs out. Flynn 
laughs. But Magee stares at his hand. When he 

[18] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

looks up his face is almost tender.] 

Magee. [His voice is a hit husky] This is a great game, 
Flynn, a great, big, fine game. [Then he recovers] 
Flynn, phone an' see if the Empress has docked yet. 

Flynn. When she lives here will Foley still live here, 
too? 

Magee. Will he! There's a smart boy, Flynn. 

Flynn. [At the telephone booth] He's — you bet he's 
smart. He's too smart. 

Magee. What d'ye mean? 

Flynn. Ain't he gittin' a pretty strong hold on ye? 

Magee. Shut up. [Angrily] Ye keep yer mug plas- 
tered when it comes to Tom Foley or somethin'll 
hit hard. [He towers above Flynn.] 

Flynn. If yer so tied up wid Foley dat ye won't 
listen — 

Magee. If yer wise ye won't give me nothin' to listen 
to. He's me boy an' she what's comin' is me gal 
— an' don't ye nor nobody else open yer heads about 
'em. [Mrs. Magee, Cathleen O'Donovan and Tom 
Foley appear in the doorway. Tom carries two 
bags.] 

Mrs. Magee. There's your uncle, my dear. [She 
speaks coldly. She is a large, handsome woman 
of thirty- five — restrained, impassive, beautifully 
gowned. Foley is ten years younger than she — 
boyish, enthusiastic, healthy — with straight, shiny, 
black hair and red cheeks. He has a fine manly 

[19] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

aggressiveness. Cathleen, in her early twenties, is 
a regular Irish type — blue eyes, black hair. . . . She 
wears a cluster of red roses on a white tailored 
gown. Mrs. Magee moves to the back right — 
glances into the dining-room, shrugs, and stands at 
the hall door waiting to get away. She watches 
the scene without interest.] 

Tom. [Buoyantly] Here she is, boss. [He sets the 
bags down. Cathleen stands an instant in the door- 
way — then she rushes to her uncle's arms. They 
embrace.] 

Magee. Me little girl. . . . 

Flynn. Kinder missed out on dis fire job, didn't ye? 

Tom. Oh, come — come — we've got to work together. 

Flynn. Dat's what de lion said to de lamb. [He goes 
into the dining-room.] 

[Cathleen and Magee release themselves and stand 
holding hands, at arms length. Then Magee draws 
her to him again.] 

Cathleen. You're crushin' me roses — me lovely blood 
roses that Mr. Foley shook in me face an' me 
hurdlin' down the gang plank to touch the soil of 
freedom. 

Magee. So this is me own sister's little gal. Ye're 
jist like her. 

Cathleen. An* you're me rich, conquerin' uncle that's. 



[20] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

made a great name for himself an' all the Magees l 

[They stare at each other happily.] 
Magee. What d'ye think of her, Tom? 
Tom. Well— I—er— er— 
Magee. Spit it out. 
Tom. She's — she's your own kin, Boss. 
Magee. Tom's the boy I wrote ye about. 
Cathleen. Why, I thought that was a little boy. 
Magee. He used to be. Now, he's me interference 

— as the foot-ball fans say. 
Tom. An' the boss is the rest of the team. {He goes 

into the hall.] 
Mrs. Magee. Tom, will you take the bags up ? They're 

so heavy for Sally. [He takes the bags.] 
Cathleen. [Running after him] Oh, an' Mr. Foley — 

[She talks to him — they laugh.] 
Magee. [Intercepting Mrs. Magee, who is following 

uncertainly] Don't they look nice together, Alice? 
Alice. [Coldly] Yes — they look well together. 
Magee. If — if they'd topple for each other I'd be the 

happiest man in the world. 
Alice. [Without interest] Would you? 
Magee. Ye could help that along, Alice. 
Alice. Could I? 
Magee. W — won't ye, Alice? 
Alice. No, Dan. 
Magee. If ye'd jes' let 'em be together a lot — maybe 

— maybe — ■ 

[21 ] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Alice. You must work out your schemes — by yourself, 

Dan. [She turns from him. Tom goes upstairs, 

singing.] 
Cathleen. [Joyously] He's kneelin' at your feet like 

all the world. [Roguishly] Isn't it true that the 

whole world is kneelin' at your feet, Uncle Dan? 
Magee. Me dear! 
Cathleen. [Skipping to Alice] Isn't it true, Aunt 

Alice? He's so modest — [She takes Alice's hand 

affectionately.] 
Alice. [Withdrawing her hand] Cathleen, I'm going 

upstairs now. When you are ready, knock on my 

door — it's the one above this — and I'll show you 

your room. [She goes to the hall-door.] 
Magee. Alice — it was — kind of ye to help me out by 

goin' after Cathleen. 
Alice. [Perfunctorily] I shall be glad to help you, 

Dan — whenever I can. 
Magee. [Rushing to her] Alice — will ye? 
Alice. Whenever I can. [She goes up the stairs. He 

stands for a moment staring at her ascending figure. 

Then he sighs, shrugs and turns. Cathleen is 

amazed.] 
Magee. Me darlin' — me darlin' — I've been so lonesome. 

[There is a sob in his voice.] 
Cathleen. [In his arms] I've been lonely, too, Uncle 

Dan. 
Magee. What kept ye from me all this time? 

[22] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. I've been preparing for the sacrament. 

Magee. The sacrament? 

Cathleen. Studying to understand this Government — 
an* your great work. 

Magee. [As to a child] An' do ye think ye know now 
what me great work is? 

Cathleen. I know the theory. An' I shall soon learn 
how it works out. You'll teach me, won't you, 
Uncle Dan? 

Magee. Sure — sure — 

Cathleen. Oh, I'm in earnest. Why — Uncle Dan — 
a big lump forms in me throat when I think that 
you're mine, the only living soul that's kin to me. 
An' you — that's been a father to me — you're one 
of the men that runs this great, free land. Oh, it 
chokes me with awe. [She presses his hand rever- 
ently to her cheek. He looks at it as he did when 
David kissed it. They stare at each other. She 
weeps suddenly — he draws her to him hungrily.] 

Magee. Me own little gal. 

Cathleen. I've studied so hard — an' it was lonesome 
in London. I thought if I knew enough that maybe 
— maybe I could help you, Uncle Dan. Could I 
help you just a little? [She is so deeply serious 
that her voice wavers.] 

Magee. Ah, ye can be so much to me. 

Cathleen. I'm so madly happy — [She sniffles] I — 
I've lost me handkerchief. 

[23] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. Here's mine. [He hasn't any] I must have 
lent it to somebody. 

Cathleen. I'll get one. [Tom comes downstairs buoy- 
antly — and stops in the doorway, grinning. Cath- 
leen turns back] Don't go away — I'll be back in 
a minute. [Magee kisses her. She runs quickly 
from him and almost collides with Tom] Oh! 
[They smile at each other. She runs up the stairs, 
looking at him, he at her. Magee is watching.] 

Magee. [Tenderly] Are ye hit, me boy? 

Tom. Oh, well — er — er — 

Magee. I don't blame ye — I am, too. She's a fine gal. 

Tom. It— it isn't just that. It's— it's— 

Magee. [Patting Tom's shoulder] I know— I know. 
[Flynn enters.] 

"Flynn. Jennings is gittin' sore. 

Tom. [Alert] Jennings of the Aberville? 

Flynn. [To Magee] He's been waitin' more'n a hour. 

Magee. Bring him here. [Flynn goes.] 

Tom. Could you spare me for a couple of hours this 
afternoon, Boss? I ain't meddled with my chem- 
istry for a week. I feel stale — like I ain't had any 
exercise. 

Magee. I can spare ye anything. 

[Flynn returns with Jennings — a bent old man. He 
shakes hands with Magee awkwardly — holds his hat 
in his hand.] 

Magee. [Breezily] Well — Jennings! How are ye, 

Fred? 

[24] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Jennings. Not so well, Mr. Magee — my rheumatiz — 

Magee. [Not listening] An' is yer wife all right, too? 

Jennings. The missus is pretty much broke up about 
the whole business. 

Magee. That's too bad. What's the trouble? 

Jennings. They've foreclosed the mortgage, sir. 

Magee. The mortgage on what? 

Jennings. [Wiping his nose on his coat sleeve] On 
our farm in Lambert County. [Pathetically] They 
ain't nothin' else to mortgage. [Tom pushes up a 
chair and Jennings sits] It's only forty acres an' 
it ain't growed nothin' yit. But me an' the ole 
woman's been savin' fer it fer thirty year. 

Magee. Was there any reason fer 'em to foreclose? 

Jennings. Not as I know on. 

Magee. Shure ? 

Jennings. Yestidy, their man comes aroun' an' when 
I ast him why they was takin' the farm away from 
us, he says, queer like: "You're janitor of this here 
joint, ain't yer?" "Been janitor here for eight 
year," s'ye. "You been buyin' your coal from the 
Egg Coal Co., ain't you?" "Ya'as," I says. "But 
last Thursday you bought coal from the Sturgis 
Co." "Ye see," I begins, "Sturgis sells cheaper, 
an' my boss trusts me — " But he shuts me off. 
"You'll have to pay up — intrust an' principal," he 
;says, "or we take the farm." [A pause] That's 

r 25 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

all, sir. [Another silence] So I come to you, sir y 
to help me. 

Magee. Ye did right, Fred — to come to me. [There 
is a pause] Come here, Tom. [Flynn talks to 
Jennings] Ye've been mixed up in this, Tom. I'll 
let ye handle the old man. 

Tom. Anyway I want? 

Magee. I trust ye, me boy. 

Tom. Thank you, sir. [He sits at the table. At a 
nod from Magee, Flynn goes.] Er — ahem! [Jen- 
nings doesn't hear. Tom leans forward. Magee 
watches him dotingly] Oh — a — Jennings. 

Jennings. [Wheeling[ Yes, sir? 

Tom. What d'you think we can do? 

Jennings. If you'd jest talk to 'em — git 'em to hold 
off for a little while. The ole woman an' me's been 
workin' so hard for it against our old age — savin* 
an' pinchin' — 

Tom. Wasn't your note due in July? 

Jennings. The ole woman's been sick. 

Tom. You didn't keep your word. 

Jennings. It's the doctor's bills. 

Tom. Still— 

Jennings. Nobody 'ud be mean enough to pinch me 
when I been in so much trouble. 

Tom. It ain't meanness — it's rights. 

Jennings. It can't be. [With weak anger] I ain't got 

[26] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

the money an' I won't give up the farm — 

I won't. . . . 
Tom. The farm ain't yours yet. 
Jennings. It is — my God, Mr. Tom — yes, it is — 
Tom. [Pounding the table] I tell you what's ours is 

ours. 
Jennings. Yours, sir? 
Magee. Loosen up, me boy — 

Tom. You told me to run this. [Magee shrugs dot- 
in gly.] 
Jennings. [Trumpeting his ear. Leaning forward] 

Yours, sir? 
Tom. Yes — ours. We hold your mortgage in the East 

Side Improvement Co., and you've got to buy your 

coal from the Egg Coal Co. 
Jennings. [Dizzy] Good God! 
Magee. Soft — soft — 
Tom. Do you heed me? 
Jennings. [Miserably] But how was I to know that 

it was you held the mortgage an' that there was 

any connection between buyin' coal an' — 
Tom. Look here, Jennings — didn't I meet you in 

Murphy's saloon last Wednesday night? An' didn't 

I buy you a drink? 
Jennings. You're a nice boy, Tom Foley — 
Tom. Didn't I ask you where you was buyin' your 

coal? An' didn't I say when you told me that you 

had ordered it from the Sturgis people that you 

[27] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

were making a mistake, that the Egg was a little 
higher but the coal was better? 

Jennings. The coal ain't better — an' my boss trusts 
me — 

Tom. Answer my question. Didn't I say that to you? 

Jennings. Ye — es — 

Tom. Didn't I say it again before I went out? 

Jennings. Ye — es — ■ 

Tom. [Sitting back] Well! 

Jennings. I didn't know but what you jist happened 
into Murphy's an' said them things sorter social- 
like. 

Tom. [Brutally] Don't you lay your head on any social- 
like pillow. 

Jennings. But, sir — 

Tom. [Yelling] I was givin' orders Wednesday night, 

Jennings. But how was I to know? 

Tom. That's all today. 

Jennings. But, Mr. Tom — 

Tom. That's all. [He pretends to busy himself with 
papers on the table.] 

Jennings. Mr. Magee — 

Magee. The boy's doin' this. [Jennings moves wear- 
ily to the door — Tom watching him slyly. Sud- 
denly he turns.] 

Jennings. Won't you do nothin'? 

Tom. Nothing. [Jennings goes further upstage] I'll 

[28] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

tell you, Jennings — we'll hold off till — when'll you 
need more coal? 

Magee. [Relieved] Ah — h — 

Jennings. In five weeks about — if the weather stays 
cold. 

Tom. Well, we'll hold off for five weeks — to see where 
you buy your next coal. 

Jennings. It's 85 cents more a ton — an' the boss trusts 
me. [Tom looks at him] Oh, yes — sir. Thankee, 
thankee, sir. . . . You — you won't forgit? 

Tom. I'm making a note of it now. 

Jennings. [Approaching] Thanks — sir. The ole wom- 
an '11 be so happy — We ain't been sleepin' nights, 
an' now — 

Tom. All right — clear out. [Jennings goes. Tom 
leans back in his chair proudly, rather cockily, and 
lights a cigarette. A pause] Everything Jennings 
touches until he cashes in he'll think we're mixed 
up in. There's men you've got to scare stiff before 
they'll be spry. 

Magee. That's true. 

Tom. He'll ask us where to buy his coffin. An' he'll 
tell everybody to fall into line — that we've got a 
strangle hold. [He is boyishly dogmatic] 

Magee. By God, I think ye' re right. 

Tom. [Coming to him quickly] Do you, sir? Am I 
learnin' the game? 

Magee. Ye'll be outstrippin' me pretty soon. 

[29] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Tom. Do you think I'm learnin' to be a — a little like 
you? 

Magee. I couldn't 'uv handled Jennings better. 

Tom. I want to be like you, too. 

Magee. [With deep tenderness] Ye — ye mustn't make 
such a tin-god o' me, Tom. 

Tom. I'm not makin' anything of you. 

Magee. I'm proud of ye, me boy. 

Tom. [Loudly] Oh, what a great, exciting game it is! 
To hold people, to clutch 'em, to make 'em squirm 
— an' force 'em to do your will! To own 'em so 
completely that if you say wiggle they must wiggle 
— an' if you tell 'em to be happy — presto! they are 
happy. 

Magee. [Patting his shoulder] Ye understand — ye un- 
derstand — 

Tom. I've found my ambition. It ain't chemistry now. 
That's tame. Why, sir, I used to feel masterful 
when I surprised pink litmus paper into turnin' 
blue. I used to do it whenever an experiment didn't 
go right just to make sure that I was master. But 
I'm learnin' to be master of real things now — of 
people who can suffer and laugh — and wiggle. 
[Adoringly] And you are that! 
[Cathie en returns.] 

Catkleen. Aunt Alice is wonderful, Uncle Dan. {See- 
ing Tom] Oh! 

[30] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Tom. I'm just goin' to see about our charges, Miss 
O'Donovan. [He goes into the dining-room.] 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan, it's all unreal. It would have 
been enough just to be kin to you. But to be loved 
by you an' showered with all the blessings of the 
earth — 

Magee. Ye're all I've got in the world, gal. 

Cathleen. [Chiding] An' you with a fine wife! 

Magee. [Hastily] Yes — yes — 

Cathleen. [Looking at him queerly] We have the 
same blood — you an' I — the same blood. Nothin 5 
— nothin' can make you not kin to me. 

Magee. [Vastly pleased at her exaltation of him] 
There — there — Cathleen — 

Cathleen. Ye needn't try to hush me. [Daubing her 
eyes] Ain't ye one of the rulers of this country? 
One of the most powerful an' greatest an' best 
men in all the West? Don't I know it? Didn't 
the young man tell me so, too? [With a complete 
change of manner] Who is the lovely young man? 

Magee. Ah — ha — so he's "lovely" already! Oh— 
ho. . . . 

Cathleen. [Playing with the flowers] He — he gave 
me these blood roses. 

Magee. [His hand under her chin] He is a lovely ^oung 
man, Cathleen. 

Cathleen. Who is he? 

[31 ] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. He was a newsboy — an* goin' to night school 
besides. 

Cathleen. Ah — that's America! 

Magee. [Unctuously] A bossy little fellow he was. He 
could make other boys work for him an' make 'em 
like to do it. 

Cathleen. Why didn't he sell for himself? 

Magee. He studied — an' he had to save his voice to 
sing in the church. That paid better'n sellin' papers. 

Cathleen. An' you took him in, Uncle Dan? 

Magee. His ma died — an' he was left alone. 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan! [With sparkling eyes.] 

Magee. [Deprecatingly] I was lonesome— an' — an' I 
liked the boy. He's been sorter like a son to 
me. . . . 

Cathleen. An' you sent him to school? 

Magee. [A bit ashamed} Schools don't help you to 
get on. / wanted him to be with me, but he's got 
a will of his own an' he went to school. He's daffy 
about chemistry. He'll blow up the house yet with 
his gimcracks. [With pride] But they say he is 
a mighty good chemist. 

Cathleen. An' you're so, so proud of him. [She 
strokes his arm] But me, — I'm a girl — I can go to 
school — I don't matter. [She sulks, then laughing 
merrily she runs away from him as he attempts to 
embrace her, turns, surveys him critically with her 
head cocked on one side, advances slowly towards 

[32] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

him, and 'jumps suddenly, clasping him tightly about 
the neck. He staggers into a chair, she on his 
knee] Oh, Uncle Dan — Uncle Dan — after all the 
years an' years it's come true. I'm here — in your 
house— on your knee — soilin' your collar. I won- 
der if you imagine even faintly what you are to 
me — [She shakes her head — he shakes his] No? 
You're a great conqueror — huge — vast — but tender 
— oh, so tender. I've stared an' gazed an' absorbed 
your picture till I thought surely it must fade from 
too much gazing. [He bends his head and kisses 
her arm] The funniest thing of all was that I 
could never be sure that such a man — so successful 
— so powerful — so noble — could be my nearest of 
kin— mine! Father used to talk of you with awe 
in his voice — an' after he — was taken from us — 
mother would tell of you an' of the other great 
romances of Ireland. . . . Poor mother wanted so 
to see you again. . . . 

Magee [Huskily] We were the only children — Eileen 
an' me. . . . 

Cathleen. An' then when I was left alone an' you 
sent me the money to study an' to have lovely things 
— ah, you were the Dream that dances on the lids 
of a girl's eyes — the Haze that lures one fearlessly 
into the beautiful forests of the world. . . . [There 
is a long silence. Magee 3 s head is bent. He looks 
up.] 

[33] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. Cathleen, me dear, ye're cryin'. 

Cathleen. I have a right to cry. Wouldn't you be 
cryin' if a great lump would be formin' in your 
throat, an' little quivers were chasm' each other up 
an' down your back? 

Magee. Me dear, I'm not all ye think I am. 

Cathleen. An' you'd be modest with me! Shame on 
you! 

Magee. Ye make me blush with all yer gasps about 
me greatness an' me fineness. 

Cathleen. I'm so full today — the flood won't last. 
Uncle Dan, I want to do something for you — some- 
thing big as the ocean. Won't you let me? 

Magee. Yes — yes — sometime — 

Cathleen. Let me show you that what I'm saying — 
is from deep down — here. [Her heart] Let me — 
let me — 

Magee. This game's too mixed-up for a girl to get on 
to— 

Cathleen. Try me— give me the chance. Just try me, 
Uncle Dan. [She catches his hands and looks 
pleadingly into his face.] 

Magee. Me love, whenever I can use ye I will use ye. 
[The telephone bell rings] Hello. Yes — Magee. 
Aw — Hendricks. Who's dead now? [Makes a 
note] Fagan — 52 Olive — at ten. A' right. [He 
hangs up the receiver. Then calls] Tom! 

Cathleen. Dead! [Tom enters. There is much noise, 

[34] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

laughter, clattering of plates as he opens and closes 
the door.] 

Magee. Mrs. Fagan's cashed in. [Consulting notes] 
52 Olive — funeral ten tomorrow. 

Cathleen. [Solicitously] A friend of yours, Uncle 
Dan? 

Magee. No, she lives in me District Widow — got 

a son who can't vote for three years. Ye'd better 
go to the funeral, me boy. 

Tom. A'right, sir. [Magee telephones. Tom talks 
with Cathleen.] 

Magee. Westland 4276. Tompkins? Wreath for a 
single vote — not ripe yet — Fagan, 52 Olive — tomor- 
row at nine. [He winks at Cathleen as he hangs 
up the receiver.] 

Cathleen. Wouldn't you be tellin' him what kind of 
flowers you'll be wantin'? 

Magee. Hje knows — I own most of his shop. It pays 
— there's so many wreaths to be sent. [He looks 
from her to Tom and has an idea] I'll be lookin' 
after me hungry squad. They're a touchy lot. [He 
goes into the dining-room.] 

Cathleen. He does so much good. 

Tom. If you knew half — all the Murphys and Sullivans 
and Malones, all the Goldbergs, baums, and steins 
he's always helping in one way or another! He's 
the most liberal man that ever lived. 

[35] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. [Toying with the roses] That's one of his 
qualities that you've got. 

Tom. Miss O'Donovan — 

Cathleen. The lovely blood roses. 

Tom. They look great on you — dashing, romantic. 

Cathleen. Romance was born in them. I didn't mean 
that — yes I did, too. They're a symbol, Mr. — er — 
Tom. Look at me. 

Tom. Oh, I am looking. . . . 

Cathleen. I'm going to tell you why I'm dressed all 
in white. It's — it's to celebrate my landing on this 
free, pure soil. I've seen so much misery in Ire- 
land — an' in England, too — an' it's all caused by 
the men that govern. Oh, it's sacred — this land of 
youth an' innocence — this America that has swept 
the dead leaves from the civilizations of the 
world. . . . 

Tom. Miss — Cathleen — it's — it's not like that — 

Cathleen. Oh, it has its little sins an* vices — but no 
more important than the sins an' vices of a child. 
It is pure — [laughing] so I am all in white. 

Tom. It is very beautiful. . . . 

Cathleen. But I forgot that the symbol must have 
color in it. 

Tom. God completed the symbol — the blue of the skies 
in your eyes. 

Cathleen. But it remained for you to give the color 
of this new land— the color of life — an' romance. 

[36] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Tom. Have I brought you — romance? [She looks at 

him quickly — then lowers her eyes.] 
Cathleen. They're precious flowers to symbolize — er 

— color. I shall wear them till the last petal has 

curled up an' fallen. 
Tom. Then I'll bring you more blood roses — and 

more. . . . [David rushes in waving a license.] 
David. Ve haf it, my lof, ve haf it — Oh, I tought my 

Becky vould be here. 
Tom. She's in there — Why, is that a marriage license? 
David. [Wild with excitement] Years upon years ve 

haf vaited — years upon years. . . . 
Cathleen. An' today — today it is to happen? 
David. [Solemnly] Today — for de first time, I know 

Gott. He is a Christian Gott — He is merciful. 

[Goes towards dining-room.] 
Cathleen. No — no — see her alone. Mr. Foley will 

bring her here. [Tom goes.] 
Cathleen. I am Cathleen O'Donovan — Mr. Magee's 

niece. 
David. You haf seen my Becky? 
Cathleen. Not yet — but I shall know her when I do. 

[Tom comes with Becky. David rushes to her as- 
sistance. The crowd follows.] 
Tom. Leave 'em together a while — go back— eat some 

more — ■ 
A Woman. I'm foundered. 

[37] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

A Boy. [Rubbing his stomach] I never was so full in 
my life. 

A Young Woman. [Sings] De — de — the bride an' 
gro — om — 

Chorus. Tra — lala — la — la — la — la — la. 

David. My eyes! My life! 

Becky. Dawn of my hope — [She sobs.] 

David. [Tragically] Do you veep? 

Becky. No longer — afraid. . . . [They are surrounded 
by the laughing, chattering crowd.] 

Magee. Here's a weddin' present. 

Becky. Oh ! 

David. So lofely! Ve are so tankful, Mr. Magee — so 
tankful. . . . [The crowd murmurs appreciatively] 
Come, my heart — Rabbi Atoski vaits. 

Becky. Yes — yes. . . . [Shouts of "Good luck" "Vm 
goin' to see 'em tied/' humming, general chaos. 
The mob swirls towards the door. Cathie en has 
been standing thoughtfully, left front. As Becky 
and David reach the door in the van of the crowd 
— she runs and grabs his arm.] 

Cathleen. You must have memories. 

David. Memories ? 

Cathleen. Flowers an' music an' laughter — an' a 
dress ! Oh, an' a dress that you can show your 
children — not a spotted skirt an' a soiled waist. 

Becky. [Crying softly] In Poland — yes — but [shrug- 
ging] vat must be — must be — 

[38] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. [Embracing her] It must not be. [Firmly] 
The wedding will take place tonight. 

David. She is mine. 

Cathleen. [Firmly] Go an' find a room. An' some 
of you women will clean it, won't you? [Joyous 
assent] Mr. Tom — you spoke of flowers — send 
flowers to Becky an' David. My dear, let me give 
you the dress — it is white — lovely white. We'll 
have to let it out a bit in the waist an' take out 
the hem — 

A Boy. I'll play me violin. 

Cathleen. [Touching his hair] An' I'll sing. 

Magee. Well, I'll give the supper. 

Cathleen. No — no, Uncle Dan. [Until now the 
crowd has not known who she is] Let's each bring 
something. 

All. Yes — yes — Great! Fine! . . . 

Cathleen. David, go tell the Rabbi. Becky will stay 
with me today. Take her to my room, somebody. 
[Sally leads Becky out. At the door she turns back 
and kisses Cathleen 3 s hands.] 

Becky. How my moder selig, in heafen vill rejoice. 
[She goes upstairs amid a dead silence. Tom ac- 
companies David to the door giving him directions. 
Then the crowd loosens — it is tremendously stirred 
— it surrounds Cathleen, overwhelming her with ex- 
clamations of pleasure. Scraps of what they say 

[39] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

are heard: "Twelve together — a wedding cake," 

"cheese" "bread" — and the like.] 
Magee. [To a surly-looking man downstage] It'll mean 

$50.00 on each an' every count, an' maybe six 

months besides. 
Jacobs. An' how much vill it cost me if I — ? 
Magee. How much do ye want to contribute to the 

campaign fund? Well, I think ye'd like ter give 

about twenty-five plunks. 
Jacobs. Twenty-fife ? 
Magee. Of course, if ye don't want to give it — [turns 

away.] 
Jacobs. Oh, I gif it — I gif it — [He counts out twenty- 
three dollars in small bills and two dollars in nickels 
. and pennies. He has obznously known beforehand 

what amount would be required.] 
Magee. I don't want nickels and pennies. 
Jacobs. It's all I got. 
Magee. Oh, a' right. [He counts the change and puts 

it calmly in his pocket. Jacobs looks as though he 

wished to say something but thinks better of it. 

He goes.] 
Tom. Boss, look at her — look what she's doin*. 
Magee. Huh ? 
Tom. She's gittin' 'em. 

Magee. It's the Magee in her — [Suddenly] I wonder — 
Tom. What? 
Magee. Tell the Johnsons to stay. 

[40] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. Now let's all get to work. [With nods, 
laughs, handshakes — they go — an excited, pleased 
crowd. Magee, Tom, and the henchmen cheer them 
along. When they are gone, Cathleen stands in the 
door a moment — then she turns and comes down 
swiftly] Uncle Dan, they are dream people — so- 
generous — so true — so human — 

Magee. An' so poor. 

Cathleen. Show me how to help them, Uncle Dan. 
Just show me how an' I'll make my own chances. 

Johnson. You wanted us to stay? 

Magee. Me offer's still open. 

Johnson. [Considerably softened] I'll tell you, Mr. 
Magee, I won't hedge. I need a job like hell but 
your price is too high. 

Cathleen. His price! 

Magee. Price nothin'. All I'm asking is gratitude — 
common gratitude. [Cathleen is relieved.] 

Johnson. I guess you'd make us too thankful. 

Cathleen. Why, how silly. 

Magee. Better think it over. [To Mary, crouching to 
her level] Hel — lo — finger in her little mouth? 
'Emme bite it. Won't? Ur— r— r— I'll steal it. 
[He grabs for her hand — she retreats to her mother. 
Magee rises and pulls out a handful of change] 
Here, baby — Here's a penny. What're ye goin' to 
buy with it? 

Mary. A all-day-sucker. 

r 4i l 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. A white one — don't git a red one, because red 

ain't good for little girls. 
Mary. [Jumping with glee] Look what I got. Look 

mama — papa — see what de good man give me. I'm 

goin' to have a sucker — I'm goin' to have a 

sucker. . . . 
Johnson. Give it back. 
Mrs. Johnson. [Pleading] Bob! [To Mary] Say 

"thank you" to the kind gentleman. 
Mary. No, I won't. I'm goin' to give him a suck. 

[Pointing one finger at him] If you won't take 

more'n one. 
Magee. I won't. 
Mary. Cross your heart? 
Magee. Cross me heart. 
Mary. [To her mother] Ain't dat a nice "thank you"? 

[Mrs. Johnson squeezes her. Johnson kisses her 

passionately.] 
Johnson. Did you ever see such a kid, Magee? [He 

has thawed completely.] 
Cathleen. [On her knees] That's a fine "thank you," 

darlin' — the finest thank you in all the glorious 

world. I shall never say any other kind of thank 

you — dear, little teacher of great things. 
Mary. [Laughing wildly] Mama — papa — de pitty lady 

says I'se a teacher. [Drawing herself up] Cafleen, 

spell Cat. 
Cathleen. K-a-t. 

[42] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Mary. Wong. Go to de foot. 

Cathleen. Oh, Miss Mary, I don't want to go to de 
foot. I'se ashamed. 

Mary. [Wiping Cathleen' 's eyes with her apron] Well, 
don't cwy. Spell cwy. 

Cathleen. C-w-y. 

Mary. Wong — go to de foot. [Cathleen boo-hoos. 
Mary, very pompously, takes her by the hand and 
leads her to the foot. The Johnsons have dropped 
to their knees, absorbed, proud, adoring. Tom and 
Magee are leaning far over, watching. Cathleen 
seizes Mary.] 

Cathleen. Yotfdarlin'. 

Mary. We like her, don't we, papa? [She hugs her. 
Johnson nods.] 

Johnson. You're mashin' the lady's flowers. 

Mrs. Johnson. [In alarm] Mary, dear — we must go. 

Cathleen. Here, little teacher — here's one for you. 

Mary. Oh, for me! Ain't it pretty? Oh, ain't it 
pretty, papa? Ouh — an' it smells so sweet — smell 
it. [She presses it to her parents' noses. Then she 
dances with it] I can't say thank you wif dis. Oh 
yes, I can. [She gives Cathleen a petal] Dere. 
[Her parents draw her towards the door] Good- 
bye, nice man. Good-bye, flower fairy. [She runs 
back and offers her mouth to Tom. He seizes her 
in his arms and releases her as suddenly. She runs 
to her father. At the door Johnson turns.] 

[43] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Johnson. Mr. Magee, I ain't a goin' to take your job. 

I'll find one for myself. But I don't feel as strong 

against you as I did — because my little girl likes 

you — an' she ain't never wrong about people. [They 

go. Tom comes to Cathleen.] 
Magee. I think we've copped the stiff-necked beggar. 

[Cathleen is puzzled.] 
Tom. And you swung the others, too, Miss Cathleen, 

— that whole crowd. 
Magee. That's right — she did — I wonder . . . Tom, 

come here. 'Scuse us, me dear. [Cathleen moves 
■ about the room — elated, nervous] Why not use her? 
Tom. Use her? 

Magee. We'll call her our secretary. 
Tom. [Pondering] She's a wonderful mixer. . . By 

George, yes. She'll cinch the whole District. Great 

idea! You're a genius, Boss. 
Magee. Go slow, though. She's been dreamin' fine 

things. 
Tom. See what she says. 
Magee. Cathleen. 
Cathleen. Yes ? 
Magee. Wanter be our Sec'tary? 
Cathleen. Me? Me? Why, I'm not fit— 
Magee. Yer a natural-born politician. 
Tom. Your Uncle's own niece. 
Cathleen. Oh, am I! 
Tom. Johnson's held out ever since he's been in the 

[44] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

District — we've all tried our hand on him — and you 

got him in ten minutes! 
Cathleen. He doesn't like you, Uncle Dan? 
Magee. He does now. [Laughing] The beggar came 

cheap — a penny — 
Tom. And a rose, Boss. 

Cathleen. It was his little girl that made him like us. 
Magee. Politics is war, me dear. 
Cathleen. Do you always make men like you through 

their noblest emotions — like this? 
Tom. [Misunderstanding her] Make is a harsh word, 

Miss Cathleen — it's like you make people love you 

— by kindness, dances, kisses — 
Magee. I'm their best friend — When they're in trouble 

I get 'em out o' the hands of the police. 
Cathleen. Whether they are guilty or not guilty, 

Uncle Dan? 
Magee. They elect me — it's me duty to stand by 'em. 
Cathleen. But isn't your first duty to the law? 
Magee. Well, will ye help Tom an' me? 
Cathleen. I — don't — know. . . . 
Magee. [Impatiently] I thought ye was longin' for the 

chance. 
Cathleen. I was. [She pauses — ponders — suddenly 

makes up her mind and removes her hat] Yes — I'll 

help you — 
Tom. [Elated] Won't we put the rollers under Pierce 

now? 

[45] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. But if I am to help — I must know the 
workins'. 

Tom. Of course. You see it's this way — 

Magee. [Aside to Tom] Careful — let me. 

Tom. Ain't she to be in on the game? 

Magee. Queer look in her eye — don't like it. Give her 
a report for publication. [Cathleen has been taking 
off her jacket, pushing up her hair, etc.] Ready, 
me dear? 

Cathleen. [Coming slowly downstage — a break in her 
voice] I hope I haven't harmed Mr. Johnson — 

Magee. Harmed him? 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan, are you really their friend? 

Magee. I'm a good organization man. 

Tom. [Proudly] And cock of the political walk. We 
about own the walk, don't we, Boss? [Cathleen 
looks hard at him — slowly draws out the pin and 
throws the roses on the table.] 

Tom. You promised to wear 'em — 

Cathleen. Yes — yes — only — they — they're in the way. 
The scent lures — [With nervous vivacity] All 
ready — draw the curtains! [She sits behind the 
table — the two men at either side.] 

Magee. [Aside, as they take their seats] Strong on the 
kindness dope. [With great candor] Ye see, me 
dear, the people in me District are poor — an' I make 
it me business to help 'em. That's the whole game. 
Pretty simple, ain't it? [Laughs] Well, now the 

[46] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

way we go about it is this — [Cathie en is 
forward — looking hard into his face.] 

QUICK CURTAIN 



[47] 



ACT II. 

Mrs. M ogee's sitting-room on the second floor. In the 
left wall is a door leading to the bedroom — in the 
right wall a white marble fireplace. At the back 
and far to the left is a door into the hall which 
when opened reveals an ascending stair. Nearly 
half of the back wall is French windows which 
lead to a balcony with a stone balustrade. The 
room is wide and shallow. 

The furnishings and decorations are both elaborate and 
luxurious. The color scheme is daring — yet not 
without taste. Everything in the room bespeaks a 
lavish expenditure. Facing the footlights well down 
stage is a wide, deep, long, heavily upholstered sofa. 
A grand piano stands between the windows and the 
fireplace. Deep, rich chairs — a dainty table for 
smoking things. Fine bric-a-brac, bronzes, marbles. 
A carved escritoire — a pier glass down stage. The 
curtains and portieres are of heavy velvet. Shaded 
lights throw a yellow glow over the room. It is 
evening — about five weeks later. 

Alice Magee, dressed in an elaborate evening gown that 
harmonises with the colors of the room, is discov- 
ered before the pier glass draping several fine, 
flimsy scarfs of various colors about her — and study- 

[49] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

ing carefully the effect of each. After a moment 
she grows weary and lets the scarfs drop listlessly 
to the floor. She lifts her arms to study the pose. 
Then she looks about for something to do — stirs 
the fire — drops the poker absently—opens a win- 
dow — shivers in the cold air — closes the window. 
She picks up a paper-bound novel — lies on the sofa, 
turns the pages and rises again. She picks up the 
scarfs and drops them on a chair, hums, touches the 
piano keys, drapes one of the scarfs on the piano r 
studies the effect. A dog barks. She runs to a 
cradle in the corner, lifts a wooly little dog and 
fondles it. 

Alice. Does de light bozer 'oo? [She presses the dog 
to her cheek] Es it does. [She takes the dog into 
her bedroom. Then she walks aimlessly about, 
sighs, lights a cigarette and takes up her book again. 
There is a knock. She sits up expectantly and lis- 
tens. The knock is repeated.] 

Alice. Come. [Magee enters and closes the door. 
His hair is disordered and he is biting his cigar 
hard. They stare at each other. She lies back 
yawning] It's nearly nine. 

Magee. [Leaning over the back of the sofa] Alice — 
I'm lonely — up there in that little creakin' room. 

Alice. I've had ten years of loneliness— down here — 
in these big creaky rooms. 

[50] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. [Eagerly] Then let's not be lonely no more — 
you an* me. 

Alice. You may sit down, Dan. 

Magee. [Coming toward her] Ye mean it? 

Alice. [Propping herself] Over there. [He obeys. 
Then he jumps up and paces the room.] 

Magee. Everything's goin' to hell. Pierce is gainin' 
strength every day. An' the 'lection nex' Tuesday! 

Alice. Oh, if you're going to bother me with that — 

Magee. I'm desperate. 

Alice. That's characteristic of you — always to be des- 
perate. 

Magee. But this time — Why, Johnson — Johnson that 
I thought I had cinched is makin' speeches for 
Pierce — makin' speeches. [A pause] An' I gotter 
win — I gotter! 

Alice. [Smiling] But suppose you don't win? 

Magee. It makes me shiver to think of it. What'd I 
do with me life if I lose out? I mustn't lose out — 
there ain't no comin' back in this game. Once down 
an' out — always down an' out. It's runnin' me 
crazy — 

Alice. Poor fellow. 

Magee. I don't know what's got into people. That 
damn cur's got 'em bulldozed — that's what he's 
done. If I'd been crooked with 'em there'd be a 
reason. But I've always been square. 

Alice. [Sneering] I have no doubt you think so. 

[51 ] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. Who is it they come to when they're in trouble,, 
I'd like to know ? Who gits 'em jobs an' pays their 
fines an' sends 'em weddin' presents an' funeral 
wreaths? Who does everything for 'em like as if 
he was their father? 

Alice. [0 rat oric ally — with an extravagant gesture] 
Dan Magee! 

Magee. [Dampened] An' now they're blinkin' me. 

Alice. "Ingratitude more strong than traitors' 
arms" . . . [She puts out her cigarette with great 
care. He hesitates — then he comes quickly and 
stands over her.] 

Magee. Alice, won't you help me? 

Alice. I ? 

Magee. It won't be much trouble — just a pie to Mrs. 
Johnson — a new cough syrup to old Finkel, a birth- 
day present to Mrs. Goldstein. . . Why, it wouldn't 
take an hour an' they'd stick to me like a plugged 
quarter. 

Alice. Oh, must we start the old quarrel over again? 

Magee. We won't scrap. Jist ye do this — 

Alice. [Picking up her book] Don't be foolish. 

Magee. It wouldn't hurt ye, would it? 

Alice. No. 

Magee. Think of all the pleasure ye'll be givin' pore 
folks. They'll think ye're Saint Brighid or who- 
ever the Jew Saint Brighid is. They'll fall on their 

[52] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

knees before ye in gratitude. Won't ye do it? 
Won't ye? 

Alice. No. 

Magee. Jis' this once. I . won't ask it agin. I ain't 
asked nothin' of ye for ten years. Do jist this one 
thing — pitch in tomorrow — 

Alice. [Throwing down her book] Must I keep say- 
ing all my life — over and over and over again that 
I will not be mixed up in your practices? 

Magee. Me practices ! Look here, don't ye be thinkin' 
I'm a crook. I'm straight — I've always stayed 
within the law. An' I never went back on a friend. 

Alice. That might hurt your — business. [With a 
flash of anger] You and your kind are selling the 
country. 

Magee. [Flaring up] Sellin' it! Oh, well — what's the 
use? Ye ain't never give me a square deal — 

Alice. [Nonchalantly] Perhaps not. 

Magee. [Continuing] Here's you an' me — livin' in the 
same house, eatin' at the same table — man an' wife — 
an' not so much as touchin' each other for ten 
years. Alice — 

Alice. You'd better go now. 

Magee. Everything's tumblin' about me ears. I'm 
lonesome — I'm losin' — I need yer help. 

Alice. Dan, please go. 

Magee. I need yer help. 

[53 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Alice. If you're lonely — if you need help — there's 

Cathleen — 
Magee. [Bitterly] She mixes with the Johnsons an' 

all me other enemies. 
Alice. She didn't teil me she wasn't any longer — your 

secretary. 
Magee. She is still. But with all her tricks an' curves 

she ain't helpin'. She's kickin' the mud o' them 

gutterbugs in me face. She's with 'em all the 

time — 
Alice. Not all the time. She's with Tom some. That 

was your fondest wish. 
Magee. I wish I hadn't been so keen on that. If she's 

goin' to be skittish like ye, I don't want her to be 

influencin' Tom. She shan't either, damn her. 
Alice. Hush, Dan. 
Magee. Oh, why won't somebody stick to me? Ain't 

there no woman left in ye, Alice? My God, I've 

been good to ye. 
Alice. You're liberal — yes. 
Magee. Well, what do / git out o' it? 
Alice. From me? Oh-ha-ha, ha, ha — what do you get 

out of it? Protection, my dear Dan, protection. 
Magee. Ye seem pretty well fixed here. 
Alice. Great Heavens, do you think I've enjoyed this 

life? You don't think that, Dan — 
Magee. Whether ye enjoy it or not ye blow in a lot o' 

me money — 

[54] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Alice. [Rising] My dear man, I won't stay an in- 
stant — not a moment. If I hadn't thought you were 
in earnest when you pleaded with me just to live 
in the house with you because the Jews are strong 
for marital felicity — and they mustn't find out that 
you are impossible to live with — why, I'd have been 
gone these ten years. I can go without ruining 
you? Oh, what a weight is removed. I'm going 
now — tonight. [She approaches the bedroom door.] 

Magee. [Intercepting her] Ye've got to stay. 

Alice. Oh, no-no-no-no-no more of this deadly life. 

Magee. Ye've got to stay — an' ye're goin' to help me. 

Alice. [Breathing deeply] The miserable farce is 
over — I'm free — [She passes him,] 

Magee. [Screaming] Alice ! [She turns] Alice, I 
meant it all. Don't go now — it 'ud ruin me. 

Alice. That's the truth? 

Magee. I swear it. 

Alice. [Returning — all her elation gone] Then — good- 
night, Dan. 

Magee. I'm lonesome. 

Alice. Goodnight. 

Magee. I need ye. 

Alice. If you don't go — I will — for good. 

Magee. I'll have the priest — 

Alice. Tsct — tsct — 

Magee. I'll cut off every penny ye git. 

Alice. Very well — I'll leave. 

[55] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. [Losing his head] Somethin' fer nothin'-— 
that's yer game — somethin' fer nothin'. It's graft — 
Ye take me money an' throw it away — [gesture to 
the room] an' what do I git? Well, I won't be 
buncoed no longer. Somethin' fer somethin' — 
[He grabs her in his arms. She beats him off 
wildly] Some — thin'— fer — some — thin'. . . 

Alice. Let me loose — let me — 

Magee. I'm lonesome an' shot to pieces — 

Alice. Let — me — loose — 

Magee. I'm in hell. Ye've got to console me — • 

Alice. [Breaking away from him and leaning against 
a table — panting] You — you cur — 

Magee. Ye needn't call names — Ye' re mine — I mean 
to have ye. [He advances — she retreats — her hand 
touches the telephone — she picks it up] Put that 
down. [She doesn't heed ] Put it down. [He 
rushes towards her — she lifts the receiver.] 

Alice. The Morning Post — hurry — 

Magee. Alice — [Shrilly] Ye loved me once — don't ruin 
me, Alice, don't — 

Alice. Connect me quick — 

Magee. What did ye marry me fer if ye won't help me 
when I need ye? [She looks at him startled.] 

Alice. The Post? News room — 

Magee. What in the name of God did ye marry me 
fer? [He rushes out blindly and slams the door. 

[56] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Alice puts the receiver on its hook — the telephone 
on the table.] 

Alice. What did I marry him for? [She clasps her 
hands behind her head] Oh God. . . What did I 
marry him for? [She wanders aimlessly, quickly, 
about the room, nervously excited, repeating the 
question over and over. She tears her handkerchief 
to shreds. She looks about as though she was inv- 
prisoned — then runs to the piano and plays wildly. 
There is a knock on the door — she does not hear. 
The door opens and Cathleen and Tom enter. They 
are in full evening dress. Cathleen comes hurriedly 
into the room.] 

Cathleen. Alice — Alice — stop that awful noise — Alice 
— [Alice does not hear. Cathleen catches her 
hands] What a terrible din! 

Alice. [Jumping up startled] Oh! You should have 
knocked, Cathleen. 

Cathleen. We did. But the noise you were making! 

Tom. Look at my knuckles — from knocking. 

Alice. [Patting his hand maternally] Poor knuckles. 
Why, Tom, your hands look like the day after 
Easter. More chemistry? [He nods.] 

Cathleen. Tell Alice. 

Tom. Oh, you make such a fuss — 

Cathleen. The National Chemical Co. has offered 
Tom a laboratory and as many assistants as he 
needs and a fine salary — 

[57] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Alice. What to do? 

Cathleen. To carry on his experiments with — what 

are they, Tom? 
Tom. Alloys. 
Alice. [Taking his hands] We're going to lose you, 

Tom? 
Tom. Of course not. Why, don't you know by this 

time, Mrs. Magee, that I belong to the Boss? 
Alice. [Dropping his hands] Yes — I suppose you do, 
Tom. What he's doin' is bigger than any lab. 
Alice. No comparison — in enormity. [She turns 

away.] 
Cathleen. One of your — grouches ? [She pronounces 

the word queerly] I shall never learn your American 

slang. 
Tom. Say it again. It puckers your lips like when 

you say "prunes." Do — just once more. 
Cathleen. [To Alice — making a face at Tom] One 

of your grouches, dear? 
Tom. Thanks. [She sticks out her tongue at him.] 
Alice. I? A grouch! Ha, ha, ha — 
Cathleen. Something's wrong. 
Alice. A universal experience. 
Cathleen. Seriously — you seem as excited as we. 
Alice. [Evading] As you ! Why, [glances at the 

clock] why, it's only nine. Didn't you go to the 

theatre ? 
Cathleen. No — we didn't go. Tom, take my things. 

[58] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Tom. [Assisting Cathleen] Oh, we've had a fine hour 
and a half, we have. 

Alice. Where have you been? 

Cathleen. To terrible political meetings. 

Tom. [Angrily] If they weren't cowards they'd speak 
the truth. 

Alice. I sometimes think that only cowards speak the 
truth. 

Cathleen. I don't believe Mr. Johnson would lie, Tom. 

Tom. Wouldn't he! Johnson, Pierce, Lathop — the 
whole bunch are crooks. They to call the Boss a 
crook! They! An' the poor fools listen to 'em. 
But I'll bet Pierce wouldn't get a job for one of 
'em. In his world jobs are vulgar, doncherknow. 

Alice. Most jobs are vulgar, Tom — unless men earn 
them. 

Tom. Why, the poor simple fools listen to that gaff. 

Cathleen. It was convincin' — [quickly] the way they 
said it. But Alice — Pierce's people had given the 
men whisky! The place reeked with it. The men 
are tipsy! If I ever had any sympathy for the re- 
formers I've lost it. Uncle Dan's way may not be 
perfect — but it doesn't ruin people. . 

Tom. [Embarrassed] The booze don't matter, Cathleen. 

Cathleen. The booze does matter. Think — think! To 
get people drunk and make 'em vote for you! A 
felon is not as bad. 

Tom. He said we bought votes outright. We never 

[59] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

did. I've been in this game ten years an* I never 

saw a vote bought outright. 
Cathleen. To pollute people ! An' the polluted crea- 
tures elect — 
Tom. [Impatiently] Tsct — tsct — 
Cathleen. I told you in the cab — 
Tom. And I told you that Johnson was lying — that's 

the important thing. [Magee enters.] 
Cathleen. Oh, Uncle Dan — You can settle it for 

us — We've been to a Pierce political meeting — 
Magee. Ye have? 
Cathleen. They were gettin' the people drunk. [She 

shudders] I claim that that is why Pierce ought to 

be beaten. Tom is indignant merely because 

Johnson said you bought votes. 
Magee. The dirty dog. 

Cathleen. Oughtn't he be beaten for my reason alone? 
Tom. An' oughtn't he be horsewhipped for lying about 

you? 
Alice. [At the piano — with snaky malice] Which — 

which, Mr. Justice, is the less criminal? 
Magee. Oh, settle yer own squabbles. Come here,. 

Tom. [They come downstage] How's it goin'? 
Tom. David an' Flynn are soakin' 'em in booze. 
Magee. I gave David a roll as big as me fist. 
Tom. Sh— sh— 
Magee. Is it all gone? 

[60] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Tom. He didn't get a chance to say. But there was 
plenty of booze inside the poor fools. 

Magee. [Chuckling] What'd they do to them skunks? 

Tom. Well-er-a-a funny thing was happenin'. The 
drunker they got the more they — er — 

Magee. Well? [He smiles in anticipation.] 

Tom. [Blurting] The more they yelled for Pierce. 

Magee. Hell's fire. 

Tom. But we've scooped that gang. I told Flynn to 
get a lot of torches and take 'em through the whole 
District and to make 'em raise hell. An' you're to 
give 'em a rousin' speech. They'll forget there's 
a reformer in the world. 

Magee. To think of 'em — cheerin' that skunk on me 
own booze! [He walks away.] 

Cathleen. This gloom is horrible. Uncle Dan, recite. 
Recite Sheamus O'Brien. [Magee glares at her 
and goes out] Why — 

Alice. [Quickly] Don't mind, dear — don't mind — 

Tom. He's worried. I'm sure he didn't mean to hurt 
you. 

Cathleen. [Forcing a laugh] Of course he didn't. 
Alice, play something — something tender and fra- 
grant. I seem to smell that awful whisky every- 
where. Ugh. 

Alice. [Going to the piano] You must sing. 

Tom. Oh, do — Cathleen. 

Cathleen. With you. [She sweeps in a circle — takes 

[61] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

his arm affectedly, holds her hand up as though 
she were carrying a lorgnette, and struts with him 
to the piano} We shall coo together — like doves in 
the springtime. 

Tom. [Softly to her] Together. 

[Alice strikes a chord and then faces them imitating 

a conductor. They sing:] 

Oh, I know me love by his way of walking 

An' I know me love by his way of talkin' 

An' I know me love — 

[Cathie en seizes Tom's arm and raises it to indicate 

that "love" is to be held. They look at each other 

and smile happily. Alice turns away] 

by his coat of blue — 
An* if my love left me what would I do-oo-oo. 
An' still she cried — Bonny boys are few. 
[He sings "girls" — and she puts a hand over his 
mouth. He snaps at it and she slaps his cheek 
gently. He holds her hand] 
An' if my love left me what would I do? 

Cathleen. You spoiled the song. 

Tom. You taught it to me. 

Cathleen. I didn't teach you the foolishness. 

Tom. Strange! I never knew it till you came. 

Cathleen. Silly. 

Tom. [In a whisper] Sing to me — all alone — 

Cathleen. Silly — silly — 

Tom. Sing a song you'll sing to no one else. 

[62] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. Selfish. 

Tom. Then it will be our song — yours and mine — all 

alone. 
Cathleen. It would be — cozy. 
Tom. Come. [They look hard at each other. Alice 

has watched them with mingled pleasure and pain. 

She tries to slip past them.] 
Cathleen. Alice — 
Alice. Goodnight, dear. 
Cathleen. Oh Tom, how could you! 
Tom. [Stuttering] I — I meant a song for — for all 

three of us. 
Alice. I'll have my share of it some other time. I'm 

very tired tonight. [She moves across the room. 

Tom and Cathleen are distressed. There is a knock 

on the door. Alice opens it. Flynn appears.] 
Flynn. Howd'ye — Boss here? [He peers into the 

room.] 
Alice. He's probably upstairs. 
Flynn. Sorry to break in. [Starts to go.] 
Tom. Flynn. 
Flynn. Huh ? 

Tom. Things goin' any better? 
Flynn. Is dey? We're givin' 'em hell. 
Tom. Cut that. 
Cathleen. What's happenin'? 
Flynn. [Dancing with glee] We've swung de whole 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

gang agin. Gee, but dem woid-slingers is sore. I 
tell yer — 

Tom. What are the boys doing? 

Flynn. Notin'. Jis' puttin' a blinder on de moon wid 
dem torches. 

Tom. Where are they? 

Flynn. Comin' dis way — as fast as dey can navigate. 
An' fightin' excited dey is. Say, dey won't be a 
white reformer's eye in de whole District by 
mornin'. 

Cathleen. Tom, you don't permit violence? 

Flynn. Us! Vi'lence! Say, we's mollycoddles, we 
is. [Laughs loudly] We jes' slaps 'em on de wrist. 
[Laughs again] Say, ye oughter seen de bloke wot 
hangs out wid Pierce. Putty little feller, wid a 
nice white flower in his coat. "You'se guys is bein' 
bulldozed," he says, "ain't gittin' a square deal. 
Dis here Dan Magee person," he says, "is doin' 
de double pass on ye." Wow ! A husky fist lands 
on his putty little eye — Ye should a' seen it swell. 
Den one o' de boys yells: "T'hell wid reform" 
an' dat starts tings. Bang — bang — biff — [He illus- 
trates with his fist] One o' dem guys tells us we'se 
drunk-^-an' den de boys gits mad an' de dirt begins 
to fly.. Ye couldn't see where yer own fist was 
landin'. Oh — oh — oh — such a mixup. . . [He 
dances in sheer ecstacy.] 

Cathleen. The Police — 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Flynn. [To Tom — pointing over his shoulder at 

Cathie en] De cops— Say, ain't we de itinerant 

one! 
Cathleen. Is it — is it still goin' on? 
Flynn. Is it! 
Cathleen. [Sharply] Go out at once — at once — and 

call off your crowd. 
Flynn. Wot? 
Cathleen. Stop them. [He looks from one to the 

other] Do you hear me? 
Flynn. Why, Miss — 

Cathleen, [Stamping her foot] Do as I say! 
Flynn. [A bit dazed] Why, Miss, it ain't policy to tell 

de boys not to do wot ye've a'ready told 'em to do. 
Cathleen. You told them to do it! [She is aston- 
ished. Then she grows angry] Tom, go out and 

stop them. 
Tom. It's politics, Cathleen. 
Cathleen. But you — 
Tom. [Impatiently] Pierce's gang would do the same. 

[She looks long at him — then she turns to Alice.] 
Cathleen. Alice — 

Alice. I think you had better do something, Tom. 
Tom. [Stubbornly] This ain't a parlor game. We're 

playin' it the only way it can be played. 
Cathleen. Are you goin'? 
Tom. I can't. [She stares at him, then she finds her 

coat and hustles into it] What are you doin' ? 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

[She makes for the door — still trying to get into 
her coat.] 

Tom, [Catching her arm] You shan't. 

Cathleen. [Breaking azvay] Wait and see. [She gets 
to the door. Suddenly she stops — hesitates — 
turns] Yes — that's it. 

Tom. What? 

Cathleen. I'll tell Uncle Dan — he'll stop them. [Alice 
and Flynn laugh] Why are you laughin'? 

Alice. It's like telling the clouds not to rain — that's 
what they're clouds for. 

Tom. I'm not laughing. 

Cathleen. [She comes to him joyfully] You'll ask 
Uncle Dan? 

Tom. What's the use? 

Cathleen. I— I couldn't respect you if you didn't. 

Tom. Come on, Flynn. 

Flynn. Don't ye mix up in dis. 

Tom. [Imperatively] Come on. [He goes upstairs — 
Flynn follows reluctantly. Cathleen opens a win- 
dow and stands gazing out. The coat has fallen 
from her shoulders. After a while, Alice speaks.] 

Alice. You had better close the window, dear-— and 
draw the curtains — 

Cathleen. [Turning quickly — big eyed] I feel like all 
the smoke an' the fire an' the torture of the Fiend 
himself had been belched upon me. [Passes her 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

hands over her eyes] One side gets 'em drunk — an* 
the other side uses their drunkenness to make 'em 
destroy — 

Alice. [In a monotone] After awhile — it will not 
bother you — nothing will bother you. 

Cathleen. The police do nothin' — the police of the 
people — paid for by the people ! [She sighs — cleses 
the window and draws the curtains.] 
But if that were all! 

Cathleen. [Grasping her arm and looking up into her 
face, pleadingly] There can't be more. Not worse 
than that in this America of my bright dreams. 

Alice. Your Unc — some of these men not only own 
the government that the people pay for — they own 
the people — [With a bitter laugh] and they make 
the people pay them for being owned. Everything — 
everything they work for and die for is taken from 
them or debauched. Poor, poor slaves. 

Cathleen. [Excited] Is Uncle Dan one of the mas- 
ters? 

Alice. He's a successful politician. 

Cathleen. [Clapping her hands] Oh, glorious — glor- 
ious — 

Alice. Glorious ! 

Cathleen. He's what a man should be — master of his 
world. 

Alice. Such a master! 

Cathleen. Good or bad — he's master. [Alice studies 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

her for a moment — seems to reach a determination — 
and speaks as she sits.] 

Alice. Listen, Cathleen. You'd better know every- 
thing — all the truth. There's no glory in your 
Uncle Dan. 

Cathleen. There must be. I will have it so. I've 
believed in him all my life — I can't have that belief 
destroyed — I won't! He's — he's magnificent — 

Alice. [Disliking her task] If he were a great crim- 
inal you and I would love him — because there's 
still some wildness left in us. If he were a great 
criminal — oh, how I would love him! 

Cathleen. [Shaking Alice's arm] He's not a great 
criminal. 

Alice. He's not a great anything — to me — because he 
believes he's honest. 

Cathleen. [Pacing the room] Well, what more can ye 
be askin'? 

Alice. A deluded little man. He waves flags and 
calls it patriotism; he makes money on inside in- 
formation and dubs it business; he keeps these 
men and women in jobs — and chains them by the 
jobs — that is friendship. Buying votes, controlling 
the police, pilfering the public's money, perverting 
ideals — that, my dear, is politics. 

Cathleen. It's not true — it's not true — 

Alice. Isn't it? 

Cathleen. Why haven't you fought it, then? 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Alice. [Laughing mirthlessly] I? I'm not the fight- 
ing kind. [Cathleen' s lip curls] I'm not like you. 
I've only loafed since I found out. I've done noth- 
ing — except spend your uncle's bad money just as 
fast as I knew how. Perhaps, it has gone back to 
the people he sucked it from. 

Cathleen. So that accounts — for this. [A gesture to 
the room.] 

Alice. What's the use? He takes it all away from 
them again. 

Cathleen. How does he take it? 

Alice. By the simple formula of something for noth- 
ing. [Laughs] He accused me of doing that. But 
as I think of it — that's the whole secret of his school 
of politics — to give the shadow and to take the 
substance. Something for nothing. 

Cathleen. Alice, it's not true of Uncle Dan — I won't 
believe it. 

Alice. You will believe — in time. 

Cathleen. Ah, I had dreamed such a fair dream. . . 

Alice. He's good of his kind — better than most — 

Cathleen. He doesn't make drunkards of ignorant 
men. 

Alice. [Bites her lip. Then] You'd better see clearly, 
my dear. 

Cathleen. See clearly? 

Alice. That in all things your Uncle just manages 
to — evade the law — [She pauses] The ethical law, 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

too. [There is a long silence] I haven't told you 
all this before — I knew it would hurt you so — But 
tonight you had to be told. 

Cathleen. [Throwing out her hands as in challenge] 
Prove it. [Then suddenly her courage forsakes her 
and her voice becomes a sob] My Uncle — Canoges* — 
St. Patrick — Galahad — the Great Hero — oh, Alice — 
Alice — [She shakes back her head with bravado] 
Prove, it. I will not doubt him without proof — 
[David enters through the open door.] 

David. I am sorry. She said Mr. Magee vould be 
here. [He sees Cathleen and bows awkwardly sev- 
eral times.] 

Alice. He's upstairs. [She glances at Cathleen] I'll 
see if you can come up. [To Cathleen] Here is 
the proof. [She goes upstairs.] 

Cathleen. Why hasn't Becky been to see me this 
week? 

David. Oh — you miss my Becky, den? 

Cathleen. Why has she stayed away? 

David. I say to her: "My lof, ve are too tankful to 
Miss Cadleen — she vill veary of us." 

Cathleen. Oh, how could you be so unfair to me! 

David. You do nod veary of us, den? 

Cathleen. Foolish. 

David. [With fervor] Ah, gracious Lady, you are so 
goot. My Becky she prays: "Protect, oh God of 
our Faders — vatch ofer de fair lady dot haf done 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

so much for us — who haf gifen us eardly happi- 
ness — " Und I say: "Shower dy plessings upon 
her." 

Cathleen. [Deeply moved] You should not — exalt me 
so. 

David. Id is nod exaldation — it is lof. [Impulsively 
she gives him her hand] Ve vould serf you — alvays 
my Becky vould serf you — und I am your serfant. 
[He would kneel but she restrains him] I hope I 
serf you veil now. 

Cathleen. Serve me? 

David. I do for your Uncle. Is it nod also for you? 

Cathleen. Yes — but what do you do? 

David. Id is nod pleasant. But my Becky she say: 
"My lof, vhatever dey ask, dat ve mus' do." 

Cathleen. [Shaking his arm] And so you are work- 
ing for him tonight. 

David. Oh, de poor people — de poor shicker people. 

Cathleen. Shicker? 

David. It is Yiddish. [He explains by holding an 
imaginary bottle to his mouth, reeling and stag- 
gering.] 

Cathleen. My God! [Alice descends the stairs f el- 
lowed by Magee. Tom and Flynn follow — Flynn 
receiving his instructions. He goes out.] 

Magee. [To David] Well, me boy, how's it comin'? 
[Cathleen goes to Alice and holds her hand while 
they listen.] 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

David. Oh, I vould you had asked oder tings of me, 

Magee. [Slapping him on the back] Tush — tush. Don't 
ye be gittin' cold feet. Ye're a promising boy an' 
I'll make somethin' out of ye. 

David. You cannod be wrong — und yet. . . 

Magee. [Heartily] Come-come — They won't be no 
worse in the mornin' for a head. 

David. Dey fight. [Tragically.] 

Magee. A black eye don't hurt nobody. Need more 
money? [With bowed head David nods] Come 
upstairs — I'll give it to ye. [David goes upstairs,} 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan, you're using his gratitude — 

Magee. Best thing in the world to use. [To Tom] 
Don't you see, me boy, how fighting mad it would 
make 'em if I stopped their fun now? 

Tom. But Boss— 

Magee. [Very tenderly] Trust me, me boy. I do 'em 
more good than harm. I git their livin' for 'em. 
[Silence] Don't ye believe it's for their good? 
[Tom watches his toe. He looks up quickly — smiles 
into Magee 's eyes and extends his hand.] 

Tom. I believe you. [Magee takes his hand — He drops 
it abruptly and goes upstairs. Tom follows him.] 

Alice. Is it proved, Cathleen? [There is a long 
silence. Cathleen opens a window and stands look- 
ing out. Then she closes the hall door — without 
any apparent purpose, turns and stands against it.] 

Cathleen. Alice, why have you cooped yourself up 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

an' let such black plagues ravage the green face 

of the world? 
Alice. [Sitting on the sofa and toying with the read- 

ing lamp] I've asked myself why a million times. 

At first I was in love with him and I wouldn't be- 
lieve — and then when I had to believe — why I'd lost 

the ability to care much. 
Cathleen. Coward ! 
Alice. I'm not like you, dear. I'm negative. So long 

as I took no active part in what your Uncle did I 

felt no responsibility. 
Cathleen. [Shocked] Alice! 
Alice. Oh, there have been times when I wanted to 

fight. But I'm not the fighting kind. I'm just 

negative — that's all to be said. 
Cathleen. But even a negative person has a sense 

of honor. 
Alice. Don't be unfair. There was much to consider. 
Cathleen. Oh, I don't see how you could do it — I 

don't know how you could have sold out to hint 

for — this. 
Alice. Sold out! God in heaven, for what? 
Cathleen. For all this splendor, I suppose. 
Alice. [Laughing bitterly] What a price — if I had! 

This is my life, Cathleen — for ten whole years. 

Just this. [And she waves to the room.] 
Cathleen. And yet — you do not seem — unhappy. 
Alice. [The lines in her face deepen] I have this 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

floor — I decorate the rooms to suit my mood, or 
the season — I play — I read— I have my dog — just 
these things day after day — year after year — for- 
ever and ever. . . [They stare at each other, 
Cathie en walks deliberately to Alice.] 

Cathleen. You and I will destroy all this — horror— 

Alice. Too late. I've told you this only to warn you. 

Cathleen. To warn me! 

Alice. To make you see plainly. Because you and 
Tom — {She stops.] 

Cathleen. Yes? [Pause] Goon? 

Alice. What your Uncle is, Tom will become. [She 
hesitates. When she speaks again her voice is 
somewhat lower] And what I am Tom's wife will 
be. 

Cathleen. No — no — Tom's wife will save him — she 
has been warned. 

Alice. Then you — [Cathleen looks away] Oh, tear 
it out, Cathleen, tear it from your soul. Look what 
I am — look — look — look — You are sure of your- 
self now — but I know what will happen — God in 
heaven, how well I know ! First love, then passion, 
then coolness, disgust — and then — this. Oh, my 
dearest — don't — don't — 

Cathleen. If I loved Tom — 

Alice. You do. 

Cathleen. // I loved Tom — I'd fight for him— I'd 
fight Uncle Dan — himself — the whole world. I'd 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

fight and I'd save him. [Tom enters. David is 
seen going down the stairs as Tom closes the door.\ 

Tom. He — he won't stop 'em, Cathleen. 

Alice. Goodnight, dear — and remember. [She kisses 
Cathleen, taps Tom's shoulder and goes into her 
bedroom.] 

Cathleen. Then you must do it. 

Tom. The Boss's word goes. 

Cathleen. You must. 

Tom. He knows the game from A to Z. 

Cathleen. Tom ! 

Tom. [Doggedly] An' he's doing the right thing. He 
always does the right thing. 

Cathleen. Right ! 

Tom. He's got all life can give — money, power, in- 
fluence. 

Cathleen. The way he gets it, 

Tom. This ain't a world of means. Results count. 

The Boss has what he wants — what every man 

wants. 
Cathleen. Having "What every man wants" — he i& 

still not happy. 
Tom. He would be if Mrs. Magee — was kind. 
Cathleen. It's not her fault. 
Tom. [Advancing] No man can be happy, Cathleen, 

unless the woman is — kind — 
Cathleen. [Trying to head him off] Are you going: 

t 75 ] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

out now, Tom, an' tell them they are not to hurl 

another stone nor another blasphemy? 
Tom. [Coming yet closer] Do you want 'em stopped — 

or is it that you want me to stop 'em? 
Cathleen. [Looking bravely into his face] I want you 

to stop them, Tom. 
Tom. [Softly] Why? [She doesn't speak] Because 

you care for me ? [Still she is silent] Is it because 

you care for me? 
Cathleen. This is no time to be askin' such questions. 
Tom. Always is the time, Cathleen, always is the 

time — 
Cathleen. Go out an' do your duty. 
Tom. This is the time. 

Cathleen. They're being maddened with drink. 
Tom. You — you care? 
Cathleen. [Holding her ears'] I won't be listenin' to 

you now. They're gettin' drunker — 
Tom. [Taking her hands down and retaining them] 

Nothing matters — nothing, nothing, nothing— except 

— I want you. [He leans his face almost to hers\ 

Do you hear? I want you — [Quickly] And you 

want me — I know it — you want me — 
Cathleen. Hush, Tom, hush. There are big things 

out there — wicked, terrible things — 
Tom. We're all that's in the world — 
Cathleen. Not now, Tom — 
Tom. Now — now — When you came hurdling down the 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

gangplank a fire started in my blood. And you 
gave the rose to Mary Johnson and she brought 
the warm kiss from your lips to mine. The fire 
flamed then, Cathleen — it is still aflame — till the end 
of the world it will flame. . . 

Cathleen. So you lied to me! 

Tom. I! Lied to you! 

Cathleen. You were silent when Uncle Dan told me 
lies about how he does things. You let me believe 
him. 

Tom. He is — my Boss. 

Cathleen. I was so credulous. I pinned your roses 
on again and I wore them till the last blood petal 
had fallen. Oh, I think all the petals of the world 
are turning brown and falling. 

Tom. That's all outside — like clothes and houses and — 
and people. Inside me there's a great lump — it's 
choking me. [With abandon] Oh, Cathleen, all the 
days have been mornings since you came — all the 
nights twilights. . . . I've been wrapped in the haze 
of the Seven Stars. 

Cathleen. The Seven Stars — and Lord Antrime. . . 
The Galahad of the Mountains. . . [She looks at 
him with big eyes. Then very low] I told you that 
story. 

Tom. My mother told it to me, too. You are like her, 
Cathleen, but more — you are all women — sister, 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

playmate, friend — and love. And love — and love^ 
Cathleen. 

Cathleen. [Extending her hands] Sh — sh — . . . 

Tom. [Bozving over her hands] You are all the sacred 
things in the world. I think if I kissed your lips 
I'd be saved for all time. I think St. Peter would 
throw wide the Gates to the man who had kissed 
your lips. 

Cathleen. [Absorbed in his mood] Heaven must be 
like the sunrise on Inishere — all enfolding, com- 
plete. . . [Withdrawing her hands'] No — no — I 
won't listen to you. You are tainted, too — You 
buy and sell them — an' cower them through their 
ignorance — 

Tom. [His voice rings with dominance] It don't mat- 
ter. I'm a man — me — and you are you. An' if I 
was the blackest thing in the sight of God — it 'ud 
still be me crying to you for love. Me as I am 
crying to you as you are — good or bad — white, or 
black as the shades of Hell. Me an' you, Cathleen, 
away from all other things in the Universe. 

Cathleen. You an' I. . . . 

Tom. Will you take me, Cathleen? 

Cathleen. [Weakly'] So many things would have to 
be forgotten — 

Tom. [Throwing- his arms wide] Will you take me? 

Cathleen. [Answering the challenge] No — not as you 
are. [He had thought his question merely rhetori- 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

col. His hands drop to his sides. Before the pain 
in his face her resolution evaporates] Yes, oh, yes — 
[During the silence which follows she watches him, 
fascinated, as he advances slowly towards her. They 
are both breathing rapidly. He seizes her fiercely.} 
Cathleen. Stop— stop— First you must — 
Tom. There is no first — nor last — [In the struggle 
which ensues his strength, of course, wins. But she 
manages to get her stiffened arm between them. 
Gradually the weight of his body bends her back 
. in his arms. He leans over her. The stiffened arm 
slowly relaxes. She is bent far back — he lowers his 
face to hers, looking steadily into her eyes the while. 
Both are breathing heavily] Cathleen! [It is only 
a breath. Their lips are nearly touching. She does 
not speak. His lips touch hers and cling fiercely. 
Then suddenly, bent backward as she is, she flings 
her arms about him. The kiss is long, deep, hungry. 
All at once he releases her and falls, sitting, on the 
sofa. She staggers, recovers herself, and without 
hesitation drops to the floor betewen his knees — « 
and buries her head in her arms on his knees. A 
long time they sit thus. When she speaks her voice 
is a monotone. She seems not to be talking to him 
— merely to be crooning aloud what she feels — a 
sort of oozing out of emotion.] 
Cathleen. You are all the great lovers since the world 
began — Colum and Leander — Tristan — Lord of the 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Stars. . . . Not the greatest man nor the best nor 
the tallest nor the wisest — You're just — my love. 
[She chuckles] Such wondrous things you have 
been — the smiling Big-man, a knight on a great 
white charger, Poet of the Dawn and of sorrow- 
ing souls — King — President — Priest — And this is 
above them all — this love that you are. [A silence. 
She begins crooning the last verse of Y eats' s "Song 
of Wandering Aengus." But after a couple of lines 
she stops. He has thrown his head back on the 
back of the sofa. She looks up at him.] 

Tom. [Huskily] I — am — so — small — 

Cathleen. [Not heeding him] I've sobbed for you 
under the stars, my heart. I have sung for you 
in the sunlight — I have danced for you when 
the moon bewitched the hills and the trees. 
. . . [He sobs. She rises quickly to her knees and 
fondles his head] My broth of a boy — my sweet 
broth of a boy. . . . 

Tom. [Throwing out his arms wildly] I can't stand 
this — I'm choking. Cathleen, let me do something 
for you — something great — daring. I will be glo- 
rious for you, Cathleen. Tell me how — 

Cathleen. [Still fondling his head] You are — [She 
stops. Threats are yelled — a voice saying some- 
thing about "Pierce will end the graft." The 
speaker is hooted down. The noise increases as 
the mob gets under the balcony. The lights of 

[80] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

torches are seen dimly through the curtains — and 
distinctly where the window is opened.] 

Johnson. What did Magee ever do for you? 

Cathleen. It's Johnson. [She and Tom seem trans- 
fixed.] 

A Woman. Who else 'ud give us jobs? 

Johnson. Yes — he gave you jobs, but whose jobs were 
they to give? Who got the most out of it — you or 
Magee? Answer me that — who got the most out 
of it? [The confused helter-skelter movement of 
the torchlights shows the excitement.'] Pierce is 
straight — elect Pierce. He won't whip us like dogs. 
[Cries of "Who's a dog?" "Whoever whipped me?" 
etc.] Who's country is this, anyway ? Dan Magee's 
or the people's? [Someone yells: "It's ours an' 
Dan Magee's."] Is it ours? Don't he squeeze us 
like lemons? Don't he? Don't he? 

A Voice. [Husky with drink] He sticks by his pals — 
Dan does. 

Johnson. He's a grafter — a damned grafter. We'll 
put him in the pen yet. [There is a crash as of a 
brick hurled through a window. The confusion be- 
comes hectic. Women scream. A man yells: 
"That'll fix him." Several sing "A Hot Time in 
the Old Town" with maudlin glee. There is pan- 
demonium. Tom and Cathleen have remained in 
their positions — fear and horror frozen on their 
faces. The crash rouses Cathleen. She rushes to 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

the windows — throws them wide — and goes out on 
the balcony. The light from the torches suffuses the 
ceiling. The lights, always moving chaotically, throw 
a great yellow, reflection over her. She leans far 
over the rail.] 

Cathleen. Oh God — someone's hurt. [Screams] It's 
Johnson. [Running back into the room] Tom — 
they've hurt Johnson. [He is sitting — staring 
straight ahead. She shakes him] Tom — don't you 
hear? [Shaking him harder] They've hurt Johnson 
— and they're beating him. [At the top of her 
voice'] Call 'em off. 

Tom. [Slowly] I can't — I can't. . . 

Cathleen. Save him. 

Tom. I won't go back on the Boss. [He jumps up.] 

Cathleen. They'll kill him. 

Tom. No — they won't — not quite — we've seen to that. 

Cathleen. Tom, if you love me — 

Tom. I want to stop 'em — God knows I want to. [He 
sits again — covering his face with his hands.] 

Cathleen. Coward. [She rushes upstage. He grabs 
her wrist] Til call them off. [They struggle — her 
hair falls down her back. Mrs. Johnson rushes in 
with Mary clinging to her.] 

Mrs. Johnson. [Running to Cathleen. She is hys- 
terical] It's Bob — my Bob — [She pulls Cathleen's 
dress] Hit — with a stone — so — so large — [She is 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

dragging Cathie en towards the door. Magee en- 
ters.] 

Mrs. Johnson. [Clutching Magee s sleeve] My Bob— 

Mary. [Crying] My papa — 

Magee. Cool off, me woman — 

Mrs. Johnson. With a great stone — so — so large**— 
[She sobs hysterically.] 

Magee. Sit down. [He laughs to quiet her] He'll be 
a' right — a man's medicine. [Alice enters in desha- 
bille. She takes the woman and the child to a chair 
and tries to comfort them. At each noise of the 
mob Mrs. Johnson moans afresh.] 

Cathleen. [To Tom] Will you stay here an' see 
that — [gesture to the windows] that happen? 

Tom. Cathleen — 

Cathleen. Tom — quick — 

Tom. I can't — 

Cathleen. [Pushing him fiercely towards the door] 
Go — like a man — [Magee holds him, She draws 
back from them and her voice has tragic pleading 
in it] Like a man — who loves — [He avoids her 
gaze. Magee' s hand tightens on his arm.] 

Tom. They won't kill him — [She walks deliberately 
to him and slaps him across the mouth with the 
back of her hand.] 

Tom. [Wrenching loose from Magee] The kid's father 
— an' I am a man — [He runs out.] 

Johnson. [His voice is almost smothered] For God's 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

sake — You're killin' me — [Mrs. Johnson 
screams.] 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan — 

Magee. [His head bowed] It 'ud ruin me. God, how 
I wish I was out of all this. 

Cathleen. [Thinking he is softening] You will stop 
'em? 

Magee. [Recovering] Little fool. [She runs to the 
balcony, beating Magee there.] 

Tom's Voice. Break away. Get — a — way — There — 
there — there — [The words are accompanied by 
resounding thumps, then moans of pain — then clat- 
ter] Oh! 

Cathleen. He's down — they've got him down. Beasts. 
[Great, resentful noises. She screams] Tom: — 
behind you. Cowards — cowards — oh! They're 
kicking him. He's got an iron bar. Tom — look out. 
David — great — take it away, David. He's down 
again — Wretches. Uncle Dan — Somebody — 
Quick — It's Tom — Oh, God in Heaven. . . 
[She leans over the rail.] 

Magee. Tom! Good God! 

Cathleen. Tom — can't you — get up? David try — 
[Her hands fly to her head. She looks about wildly 
— seizes a vase from the piano and hurls it down. 
The first cry of pain is followed by one of anger. ,] 

A Man. Magee's gal. 

Another. She done it. 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

A Third. Me face is cut. 

A Fourth. Me doin' his work, too. [The cry is taken 
up: "Us doin' his work — smashed by his gal!'\ 

The First. His men are fightin' us. 

The Second. An' his wimmen. 

The Third. T'hell wid Magee. 

Chorus. He's turtled us — he's played us dirt — t'hell 
wid Magee. [The front door slams violently.] 

Cathleen. Tom's safe. [To the crowd] Yes — he's 
played you dirt. 

Magee. Come off o' there. 

Cathleen. D' you think he cares for you. Swine of 
the gutter — who in God's name could care for you ? 
Slaves, beasts, swine of the gutter — [A smoking 
torch is hurled into the room. Alice drags Cathleen 
inside] Cowards — Cowards — [Johnson is brought 
in by Tom and David. The latter are in rags and 
dishevelled — Tom has a gash over his eye. Johnson 
is covered with blood — his clothes are in shreds — 
muddy and dusty. Cathleen, with a low cry, runs 
to Tom and tries to stanch his wound. Mrs. 
Johnson and Alice and David take Johnson to the 
sofa.] 

Flynn. [Rushing in] Dey're gittin' sore. Kick John- 
son out. It's suicide. Listen to 'em. [And indeed 
the sounds are angry] Foley fightin' 'em. An' yer 
goil trowin' tings — an' callin' names— an' Johnson 
here — 

[85] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. Take him out — and tell the boys I sent him. 
[Flynn goes to Johnson.] 

Tom. Get away. [Flynn tries to pull Johnson up] Get 
away — 

Magee. / give orders here. [He pushes David for- 
ward — points to Johnson and the two heelers lift 
him again.} 

Mrs. Johnson. [To Alice] For Jesus' sake — 

Magee. Take him out o' me house. 

Mrs. Johnson. [To the heelers] Don't touch him. 
[Tom elbows them away.] 

David. Oh, Gott in Heafen — vat haf I become. . . . 

Johnson. I ain't hurt bad, honey. If Mr. Tom hadn't 
come when he did — 

A Voice. [Rising above the rest] He'll be havin' us 
pinched next. 

Another. Fer doin' what he tole us to do. 

Flynn. Hear dat? 

Magee. I hear. 

Flynn. Talk to 'em, Boss. 

Magee. Go down an' do what ye can. 

Flynn. It might not be too late if ye'd kick dis gang 
out an' tell de boys ye're wid 'em. 

Magee. Too late. [Flynn goes'] It's done — done — 
[He advances on Cat hie en who is tending Tom's 
wound] I'll show ye — [Tom comes between them 
— he pushes Tom aside. Cathleen lifts the smoking 
torch] Git out o' me house. 

[86] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Alice. She'll stay with me, Dan. [The lights outside 
have grown fainter — the noises have quieted, some* 
what — the crowd is breaking «/>.] 

Flynn. [Outside'] HeV up dere fightin* his whole 
damn family. 

Tom. [To Cathleen] Tell 'em you didn't mean it — tell 
'em you were jokin' — Quick — Cathleen, it'll save 
the Boss — [He tries to pull her to the balcony'} 
They'll go to Pierce — 

Cathleen. Which side are you on? 

Tom. [Defiantly] The Boss's. 

Cathleen. [Throwing down the torch] That's my 
love — I throw it away forever, unless — 

Tom. Unless? 

Cathleen. Unless you turn its stinkin' blackness into 
a clear flame. 

A Voice. Come on, boys — a yell for Pierce. [There 
are three hearty cheers for Pierce.] 

Magee. [Who has been pacing the room — stopping 
1 abruptly before Cathleen] Git. 

Cathleen. [To Tom] Which is it — smoke or burn? 
[Tom hesitates, looks at Magee — takes a step to- 
wards Cathleen.] 

Magee. Ye'd turn Tom against me, too. [He ap- 
proaches her angrily. Flynn runs in and plucks his 
sleeve.] 

Flynn. Dey won't listen to us. 

Magee. I'll bring 'em around. [Cathleen prevents his 

[87] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

going to the balcony by blocking the windows] I've 
been square with ye — 

Cathleen. You got 'em drunk. 

David. Vot haf I become. . . . 

Cathleen. [Hearing him] You've scattered ruin ev- 
erywhere — ruin and destruction. [Waves towards 
David and Johnson'] Well, you shall taste your own 
medicine — ruin and destruction — 

Magee. By God, I'll break ye — ye low traitor — I'll 
smash ye — 

Cathleen. [Facing Magee] An' I'll beat you yet — you 
[To Tom] and you — if it breaks my heart — you an' 
all your kind — I'll beat you yet — I'll beat you yet. . . 

CURTAIN. 



[88 



ACT III. 

Magee's Sanctum on the third floor. A low room with 
small-pane d, recessed windows at the back. At the 
right a door to Magee's bedroom; on the left is a 
door to the hall. Tom's desk is towards the back; 
Magee's downstage. There are several card indexes. 
Posters, transparencies, lettered cards — all lauding 
Magee — are on the walls. A huge advertisement 
calendar. Pipes, cigars, cuspidors, fishing tackle 
and the like — are scattered about. The room, be- 
cause of its low ceiling and the great amount of 
furniture, is cosy. It is late in the afternoon some 
five days later. Tozuards the middle of the act the 
lights are switched on. 

Cathleen in a perfectly tailored walking gown is sewing 
on a baby garment. Her hat lies on a chair nearby. 
Mary Johnson sits on a stool at her feet, also sew- 
ing. 

Cathleen. You're not holdin' the thread, dear. No — 
let me show you again. See how easy it is ? [Mary 
tries it again] That's right. 

Mary. I like to feader stitch. [Cathleen touches her 
hair. They work] What's de rest of de story, Aunt 
Cafleen ? 

Cathleen. [As they both sew] Well, the next mornin' 
the little boy — 

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THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Mary. What was de boy's name? 

Cathleen. T — Tom. Tom went into the garden with 
his little sister — 

Mary. What's a garden? 

Cathleen. Things grow in a garden — flowers an' grass 
an' trees, an' birds sing. Some day I'll take you to 
a garden, dear. 

Mary. Oh, will you, Aunt Cafleen? 

Cathleen. Hold the thread. Well, when Tom an' his 
sister got to the garden — guess what they found- 
there. 

Mary. A bird — 

Cathleen. Where they had planted the little girl's yel- 
low curl — a daisy had sprung up — a lovely yellow 
an' white daisy. An' that was the beginnin' of 
daisies. [They are silent.] 

Mary. I don't like dat story. Tell me anoder one. 

Cathleen. Greedy! We've got to work now. Let's 
see who gets through first. Little Esther won't have 
any clothes when the stork brings her if we don't 
hurry. 

Mary. [Loudly] Where does de stork bring her from? 

Cathleen. Sh — sh- — Mr. Tom's in there. [She nods 
towards the next room. Flynn comes .] 

Flynn. Hel-lo-o. Ain't ye and de kid got into de 
wrong nook? 

Cathleen. The polls closed half an hour ago, so the 
fightin's over. 

[90] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Flynn. [To Mary] How's yer pa? 

Cathleen. He went to work today. 

Flynn. [Grinning] We didn't kill him, after all. 

Cathleen. [Glancing at him angrily] Mary, dear, run 

down and see Mrs. Magee. She'll show you how 

to feather stitch. 
Mary. Can I come back? 
Cathleen. After while. [Mary goes. Cathleen puts 

up her sewing. Flynn watches her admiringly. He 

has been reared in the sides of the street — between 

the sidezvalk and the open roadway. To him er goils 

is goils."] 
Plynn. Say, youse some goil. 
Cathleen. What do you mean? 
Flynn. Ye've got every man, woman, an' kid in de 

District tinkin' ye're de ony flapjack in de pan. 
Cathleen. [Pleased] They don't think that. 
Plynn. Don't dey, dough! It's Miss Cat'leen says dis 

an' Miss Cat'leen says dat evy place ye strike. Dey 

follow ye aroun' like de rats did de ole codger wid 

de noisy trombone. 
Cathleen. I wonder if I have had any influence. I've 

worked so hard these few days. 
Flynn. [In a zvhisper] Say, I wouldn't swear dat ye 

ain't beat de Boss. 
Cathleen. [Thawing very rapidly'] Nonsense. 
Plynn. Yer de stuff a' right. 
Cathleen. I don't expect to beat Uncle Dan in this 

[91 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

election. I haven't had but five days to try. But 
the next time I'm going to have men like you to 
help me — you'll help me, won't you, Mr. Flynn? 
[She touches his arm.] 

Flynn. Ain't dat a large order — goilie? [He looks 
at her keenly. She has not heeded his familiarity 
— he mistakes her lack of resentment. He covers 
the hand on his arm. She jerks her hand away.] 

Cathleen. Oh! 

Flynn. Ain't no use to git sore. [She is indignant] 

Cathleen. I must go — 

Flynn. Say, I'm strong for youse. [Her humor over- 
comes her. She decides to play the game.] 

Cathleen. Are you now? [He draws a chair ver$ 
close to her.] 

Flynn. Honest t' Gawd, I ain't a bad guy. 

Cathleen. [Her hand again on his arm] Oh, I'm sure 
of that. 

Flynn. [Looks at her — then at the hand on his arm — 
edges closer] I ain't a cheap guy, eider. 

Cathleen. [Leaning over and looking up into his face] 
I'm sure you're not. 

Flynn. [Coming ever closer] Say, I tell ye wot. Dere's 
a Laundry Woikers' Ball Sat'day night. Dere'll be 
some tall raggin'. Will ye go wid me? 

Cathleen. If — I — can — 

Flynn. [His arm on the back of her chair] Oh, yes 
ye can. I'll pay yer way. [She turns from him to* 

r 92 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

conceal her laughter] Gee, won't I be de wh€>le 

pazzaza wid a skoit like youse draped on me arm! 

Are ye game? [She is silent. He tries to peer into 

her face. Failing — he takes her chin and turns her 

head around. She tries to rise. He restrains her] 

Is it a go? 
Cathleen. [Attempting to free her chin] Some other 

time. 
Flynn. Nix on dat. What d'ye say? 
Cathleen. I — I must go. [She fears him now.] 
Flynn. Not till ye've — [He puts his arm about her 

quickly — in the most approved manner.] 
Cathleen. Oh, stop. 

Flynn. Give us a kiss — to square de deal. 
Cathleen. No — no — please — 
Flynn. On'y a little kiss — wot's a kiss? [He lunges 

for her — she tears herself free and cries out.] 
Cathleen. Tom — Tom — 
Flynn. Aw, ain't yer de flossy dame. [He flings out 

in justified disgust. Tom comes. There is a scar 

en his forehead.] 
Tom. [Joyously] Cathleen! 
Cathleen. [Recovering] I did a terrible thing. I 

played with Flynn — 
Tom. With Flynn! 

Cathleen. It was my fault. There's a devil in roe, 
Tom. That low— 
Cathleen. Come back here. I wanted to see how 

[93] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

much respect my Uncle's man had for my Uncle's 
niece. I've found out. 

Tom. What'd you expect from a creature like Flynn? 

Cathleen. You work with him. 

Tom. That's different. 

Cathleen. I've been wondering — people love their 
children because they see themselves in the young- 
sters. Aren't the popular leaders the men who are 
most nearly like the people who elect them? 

Tom. Yes — that's so. 

Cathleen. Then it's foolish to fight Uncle Dan. He's 
the voice of these people — just a particular drop 
selected from the ocean — no different — only selected. 

Tom. You've been unfair to him. 

Cathleen. Not he, then, but the ocean must be 
changed — so that the next drop selected will be 
purer. Oh, how I've made him suffer. 

Tom. You bet, I know it. Have you come back to 
me, Cathleen? 

Cathleen. No, Tom. 

Tom. Can't we make up? 

Cathleen. Not until — Oh, Tom, I'm so disillusioned. 

Tom. I — I haven't changed. 

Cathleen. If you'd only stand with me. . . [He is 
silent] to keep the ugliness away. Ah, the fair 
dreams I've had of this America ! It was young and 
innocent. 

Tom. It is only a country — with a future. 

[94 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. The older men were wise— they said Mecca 
was in the East. An' I came to the West to find 
it. Foolish me! Mecca is still in the East. 

Tom. Dearest, it is like people — good and bad — 

Cathleen. But I thought to find Romance in America 
— and I have found only the embryo of youth. 

Tom. [Eagerly] Yes, I know. Like having all the 
parts of a machine before you — but all separate. 
They have to be assembled. 

Cathleen. [Looking at him gratefully] Ah, yes. 
America is unassembled — it's unborn — I wonder 
what it will be when it becomes a people — one peo- 
ple. . . Have I ever told you about the Martins*? 
[He shakes his head] They lived across the way 
from us in Kinvarra. Shawn an' Brighid were so 
happy — so ruddy — so gay. They played the mer- 
riest, they danced the lightest — Brighid's laugh was 
like the wind kissing the tide in Galway Bay. An" 
Shawn seemed to have parted the clouds to step 
out of the mornin'. Oh, how they danced an' sang 
an' ran an' leaped! So joyous — so fresh. . . [Her 
voice trails off. She pulls herself together and 
speaks hurriedly] An' then — like a sudden blast — 
the breath of passion was breathed upon them, an r 
they went mad. Shawn is crippled, diseased, loath- 
some. An' Brighid — Brighid — played — roughly with 
the boys — an' married a stranger who did not know 
her — an' then she went away with another man — an* 

[95] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

with still another. . . [A pause] America seems like 
that to me. 

Tom. America! 

Cathleen, Over the purity of her young ideals some- 
thing blew the breath of madness — an' now she runs 
jibbering, helter-skelter, obeying her keepers — slaves 
to them. Oh, Tom, Uncle Dan is one of the 
keepers! That hurts so. 

Tom. Cathleen, all this has nothing to do with you an' 
me — 

Cathleen. Please — please — 

Tom. Why can't we — ? 

Cathleen. I'll tell you. Because your ambition is to 
be a keeper. To corrupt a country before it is born. 
I won't have such a man. 

Tom. Oh — talk — talk — I'm sick of abstractions. 

Cathleen. An' I of despoilers. [Magee enters. He 
is dejected.] 

Tom. How's it goin'? 

Magee. Looks bad, Tom. Ward 8 is close. [Sees 
Cathleen] What are ye doin' here? 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan, it's over now — 

Magee. Ain't I got trouble enough without seem" ye— 

Cathleen. Shall I go? 

Magee. Don't put yerself out. [He goes into his bed- 
room and slams the door.] 

Cathleen. Oh, how it hurts him! Poor Uncle Dan! 

Tom. You're the cause of it. 

[96 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. What could I do? 

Tom. This ain't a woman's business. 

Cathleen. It's everybody's business. 

Tom. Cathleen, let's get married. An' you take care 
of the house — I'll do the rest. 

Cathleen. [Shaking her head] "A house divided." . . 
It wouldn't work. 

Tom. Oh, what's the use of all this hair-splitting? 
We love each other — 

Cathleen. There's more than that to consider. 

Tom. You'll ruin my life — an' — an' yours — 

Cathleen. Oh, God — it's not my fault. 

Tom. Whose then? 

Cathleen. What you are — an' what I am. [The tele- 
phone rings. Tom hastens to it. Magee comes in.] 

Magee. Well? 

Tom. Ward 6 has gone for — Pierce. 

Magee. Good God! How much? 

Tom. Three hundred and fifty. 

Magee. Damn 'em — damn 'em — 

Tom. It's not over yet. There's the Fourth Ward — 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan, we disagree — but we can still 
love each other. 

Tom. That's what I just said. 

Magee. The fools — to let ye talk 'em out o' their 
common-sense. 

Cathleen. They are ignorant — that's the most depres- 
sing thing about them. 



[97] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. They ain't college perfessors. 

Cathleen. They can't see that when you give them a 
penny — you take their watches. 

Magee. Watches ! As if one of 'em ever had a watch. 
How much did ye say? 

Tom. Three hundred and fifty. 

Magee. Fools — fools — all of 'em. He'll skin 'em alive 
— if he gits the chance. But he won't git the chance. 
I'll starve the whole pack first — I'll starve 'em out — 

Cathleen. Don't talk that way, Uncle Dan. 

Magee. A down-an'-outer — that's what ye'd make 
o' me — a down-an-outer. [Terrified] God in 
Heaven, what'll I do with me life? What'll I do 
with me life? [Neither answers him. He mum- 
bles] Talk about me past glory — one o' them dubs 
what tells anybody that'll listen about how great 
he used to be. . . No — no — no — they shan't make 
that o' me. I'll starve 'em first — the dirty, drivellm' 
dogs — slinkin' aroun like cats — 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan — 

Magee. Ye're the worst o' the lot — ye purrin', slippery 
snake — 

Tom. Boss — 

Magee. Ye're helpin' her. Don't ye lie to me. 

Cathleen. He's been square with you. 

Magee. I wouldn't dirty me hands as some of 'em does. 
An' they don't have no trouble bein' elected. But 

[98] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

they ain't good to nobody so nobody don't go back 
on 'em — 

Tom. You aren't beaten, yet, Boss. 

Magee. Oh, I'm done for — I'm done for — [With re- 
newed anger] All I got to say is there's many a man 
would be in hell if it wasn't for me — an' many a 
woman on the street — an' there'd be fewer doctors 
for the sick, an' fewer jobs for the strong — an' no 
Annual Picnic at Stokely Farms with tons o' ice 
cream, an' cows an' sheep barbecued whole. An' 
Mahoney 'd not had breakfas' this mornin' — an' 
there'd a been no $15.00 in the fund for St. Patrick's 
Hospital. . . 

Cathleen. To think they'll take it ! An' for their one 
great possession — the vote — 

Magee. If I didn't tell 'em how to vote, they'd vote 
bad. 

Cathleen. It's not a question of good or bad — it's 
liberty — the freedom to be good or bad. 

Magee. Anarchy. 

Cathleen. Perhaps — but freedom. 

Magee. That's just where ye an' yer kind go wrong. 
People don't want freedom. But when they're hun- 
gry they do want grub an' they'll vote for the man 
that gives it to 'em ; an' when they're cold, freedom 
won't keep 'em warm. An' the man that ain't 
shocked when yer drunk — that shakes hands with 
ye when ye come out o' jail, or keeps ye from goin* 

[99] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

there — who's yer friend against all the forces o* 
man an' nature that hold a pore fellow down — he's 
the man for yer money. An' that's why, me well* 
meanin' lady, I ain't none o' the terrible things ye 
think I am. I do for 'em an' they do for me — an' 
even exchange ain't no robbery. [He has completely 
justified himself to himself. He sits and bites the 
end from a cigar.] 

Cathleen. But they are goin' back on you. 

Magee. They always come back to the Organization. 

Cathleen. Then why are you so — excited now? 

Magee. That's another story. 

Cathleen. I don't see — 

Magee. If I lose me grip — I'm done for. The Organ- 
ization goes on but I'm a has-been. 

Cathleen. Oh, but can't you see that it's all — all 
wrong — that it ruins — destroys — [The door opens 
abruptly and Becky enters. She is very pale.] 

Becky. [In a shrill voice] Vhere is he? 

Cathleen. Becky ! 

Becky. [Rushing to Cathleen] Vhere is my David? 

Cathleen. David! Why, what — 

Becky. Nod today — nod yesterday haf I seen him. All 
nighd I look und all day. Dey haf killt him. [She 
shrieks.] 

Cathleen. He's gone? Tom — 

Becky, Miss Cadleen, you vill help me — oh, find him 
for me. 

[100] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. No harm's come to him. 

Becky. [Refusing to be consoled] Oh, no — no — no- 
he vould nod so leaf me. [Gesticulating wildly] 
Days upon days — he is busy — so busy. Bud he vill 
nod tell me — me, his vife. "David, my heart," I 
say, "David, vhat do you so much avay from me?" 
Bud he only smile. "Sometime I tell you" — und 
he kiss me. Und now he does nod come. 

Cathleen. Be quiet, dear — 

Becky. On Tursday nighd he come to me schicker — 

Cathleen. [Drawing in her breath] Thursday! 

Becky. I hear de noise und de shouds und I see de 
lighdts und den de great crash — so, I runs here. 
Bud he haf gone. I look und look — und suddently, 
like a paper in de vhirlvind, he come down de street. 
I rush to him — I take him in my arms — so — I 
drag him home — Oh, und den I see — Schicker — 
schicker — [Her face puckers with disgust] My pure 
one. . . [She is kneeling as though over his bed. 
She covers her face with her hands. Cathleen tries 
to comfort her. Finally she sobs in Cathleen 's arms. 
Tom and Magee are moved.] 

Cathleen. There — there — dear. What did he say? 

Becky. Ofer und ofer — ofer und ofer: "Vhat am I 
become ? Vhat am I become ?" [She swallows hard] 
Und he cries — here — on my breast. . . like my baby. 
. . [Cathleen fondles her head. Magee and Tom 
both make a movement towards her — but stop as she 

[101 ] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

continues] Und now I cannod find him — he does nod 
come to me — he is gone from me — my heart's heart 
— aie, aie, aie — he is gone from me. . . [She rocks 
herself in her anguish.'] 

Magee. [His voice is husky] He will come back to 
you, me gal — 

Becky. He is veil? — He is nod harmed? 

Magee. He's — he's doin' some business fer me — that 
pays well — Ye'll have a new dress, Becky. 

Becky. You vill send him to me? 

Magee. I'll send him to ye right away. 

Cathleen. Now dry your eyes an' go home. No — 
don't cry any more. You would not have him see 
your eyes red. There — go home an' wait for him. 
[She kisses Becky on the forehead.] 

Becky. [Meekly] Yes, I vill go home. Ah, I knew I 
should bud come to you und all vould be well. You 
make all tings veil. [She bows before Cathleen— 
touches her skirt reverently. Suddenly she straight- 
ens up, looks at Magee, breathes a faint "thanks" 
that is like a prayer. Then quickly she kisses his 
hand and stumbles out smiling. The three stand 
silent. Tom is looking at Cathleen, Cathleen at 
Magee, and Magee at his hand.] 

Magee. See — if ye — can locate him — [Tom goes to 
the telephone — he looks in the directory. Appar- 
ently the first call does not find David for he has 

[102] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

to look up another number and call a second time. 
It has begun to grow dark.] 

Cathleen. You're ruinin' that boy — an' all his kind. 
What was it he said to her? "What am I be- 
coming?" Oh God, what will he become? 

Magee. A rich man — if he sticks. 

Cathleen. Like you — corrupt — 

Magee. Oh, t'hell wid ye. [He goes towards the bed- 
room.] 

Cathleen. [With a grave air — ludicrously at vari- 
ance with her youth] Conscience is your particular 
vanity, Uncle Dan. So you think you're right — 
you've made yourself think it. Well, that's hopeful. 
But you've lost yourself in details — near details — 
perhaps, to still your conscience. That's what makes 
you so shortsighted an' narrow. . . 

Magee. Narrow ? 

Cathleen. So shortsighted — so — ignorant — 

Magee. [Turning — and shaking his finger at her] If 
yer so bloomin' smart — what was it made ye so? 

Cathleen. Uh ? 

Magee. How 'ud ye ever been so damned smart if I 
hadn't got me grip on some o' this tainted money? 

Cathleen. Why — 

Magee. Answer me that. I guess ye ain't been livin' 
ofT'n it — an' fillin' yer head full o' rot which ye call 
edication, all with this money that I made in such 
terrible — such awful ways. 

[103] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. Oh, that's true — the ruin did it. , , If I 
could tear it out of me. An' this, too — an* this — 
[She throws her rings and bracelet and furs on the 
floor] An' this — [She begins to take off her coat: 
Suddenly she stops — laughs mirthlessly] How silly. 
[Tom picks the things up. She puts the jewelry 
on again] But I must pay. . . [She ponders — the 
idea comes to her] I've begun already— I've been 
teaching them — And one ward has gone against 
you — and maybe the election will — 

Magee. It won't — it can't. 

Cathleen. I'm paying my debt — with interest com- 
pounded and compounded — I'm payin' up. You'll 
lose. 

Magee. [There is agony in his voice] God in Heaven, 
will ye never be done with me? [He goes into the 
bedroom and slams the door.] 

Cathleen. Oh, how I hate myself — hate — hate — 

Tom. He won't lose. 

Cathleen. He must lose. That is the only way I can 
pay. He musn't an' he must. Tom, tell me what 
to do. 

Tom. Cathleen, drop all this heroics. I love you — 

Cathleen. [Ignoring him] They must be paid back 
what they've loaned me — clothes, education, happi- 
ness. . . An' if they are paid, what of him — pain 
an' dullness all his life! Oh, it's intolerable. . . 
[She covers her face with her hands. He stands by 

[104] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

helplessly. At length, her hands drop] Kiss me. 
[He is amazed. She comes to him] I'm so tired of 
all this — make me forget. . . [She stands glued ta 
him, facing him] Take me in your arms. [He 
throws his arms about her madly, passionately'] 
Lash me — break me — an' pant. Pant at the sight 
of me — at the thought of me. . . 

Tom. Ah, yes — 

Cathleen. Say that you own me — an' nothin' — nothin* 
can take me from — my master. . . 

Tom. I love you. 

Cathleen. [Weakly] My master. . . 

Tom. I love you — I love you. . . [Releasing her] 
Cathleen, let's be married now. 

Cathleen. Now ! 

Tom. Today. 

Cathleen. Impossible. 

Tom. No more loneliness — till the end of the world. 

Cathleen. To be together — always. . . 

Tom. [His words tumble out] God only knows what 
it will save me from. I'm afraid, Cathleen. I've 
just begun to see what I'm becoming — hard, selfish, 
tyrannical, a bully — 

Cathleen. We'll go away from here — an' you will 
help me pay my debt — 

Tom. [Hesitating] The Boss is so dependent on me — 
an' he loves us — Let's give up our cub ideas — an' 

[105] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

be happy. Cathleen, let's be happy. Let's forget 
everything else. You an' I — 

Cathleen. Oh, so happy we could be. . . [Stopping 
her ears'] Oh, God — Tom, don't tempt me — leave me 
my sense of right — 

Tom. You an' I — an' the Boss — so happy — 

Cathleen. [Recovering] You said you were afraid to 
stay here. Come with me. We'll go out together an' 
scatter happiness over the world — Will you come 
with me? 

Tom. If we didn't have to break with him — 

Cathleen. Will you come with me — to earn our right 
to live — to build in our youth glorious memories for 
our old age — Will you come? 

Tom. He needs me so — 

Cathleen. With me. . . 

Tom. But the Boss needs me, Cathleen. 

Cathleen. Then stay with him. . . An' you an' he an' 
all the world shall come to me. [She begins to put 
on her outdoor things. Mary comes in.] 

Mary. Dere's a ole man wants to see Mr. Magee. 

Tom. What's his name? 

Mary. Mr. Jennings. [Tom starts for the bedroom to 
ask Magee. But before he reaches there the tele- 
phone rings and he hastens to it. Cathleen puts on 
Mary's hat. Tom slams up the receiver and runs 
to the bedroom.] 

[106] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Tom. [Overjoyed] He's won — the Boss has won — 
[He disappears. Cathleen straightens up.] 

Mary. Why is Mr. Tom dancin'? 

Cathleen. Because — because — he's so — young — [Ma- 
gee and Tom enter. Magee is buoyant.] 

Magee. Well, we done it to 'em again. 2,000 to spare. 

Cathleen. You had 4,000 last time. 

Magee. A little slump. 

Cathleen. You know that's not so. 

Magee. Oh, well — if ye want a little glory — take what- 
ever ye want — I won. 

Mary. Why is you laughin'? 

Magee. Because people like me. 

Mary. I like you. 

Magee. An' I like you. [Takes her hands] Ring 
aroun' a rosy — people like us — 

Mary. [Very happy] Pocket full o' posies — I like you 
— I like you — 

Magee. [Dancing with her] An' I like you — Four 
an' twenty blackbirds — sittin' on a fence — on a 
fence — on a fence. . . [Dropping exhausted into a 
chair] Oh. 

Cathleen. The blackbirds are still sitting on your 
fence, Uncle Dan. 

Magee. An' always will 'slong as I've got grain to give 
'em. 

Mary. What does blackbirds eat? 

Magee. [With unction] My blackbirds eat whatever I 

r 107 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

give 'em. [To Cathie en] Birds on a fence, me dear, 
git restless. An' one of 'em maybe, flutters away — 
an' another maybe, but always — in the end — they 
flutter back. [David comes in — a bit tipsy. His 
hat is askew. He removes it, however, upon en- 
tering.'] 

Magee. Well, well, me boy — 

David. Glad you von, sir. 

Cathleen. [To Mary] Run down, dear, an' tell Mr. 
Jennings he can come as soon as Mr. David leaves. 
[Mary goes.] 

Magee. [To Tom] Didn't ye tell him to go to his wife 
what's ravin' crazy for fear? 

David. I vill nod see her. She chust veeps und veeps 
— Poof! I vill nod stand id. [He snaps his 
fingers.] 

Cathleen. David! It's Becky — your wife — Becky — 
[His eyes drop.] 

David. Alvays she grexes und grexes. I schicker! 
Veil, does a liddle booze kill a man? I ain'd home 
all de time — ain'd a man got his business to vatch 
oud f er. I ain'd doin' righd [shrugs] vone mus' 
make a lifin', huh? 

Magee. [Densely] Sure thing. Don't let her henpeck 
ye. 

Cathleen. Uncle Dan! 

Tom. Boss ! [But Magee 's words have aroused David, 
Becky is his wife and he alone can abuse her.] 

[108] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

David. [Quietly] I vould nod be ashamed to opey my 

Becky. 
Cathleen. Ah. 

David. She tells me to come here, now. 
Magee. She's broke ye in a'ready. 
David. I vill vork no longer fer you, Mr. Magee. I 

haf voted fer you — I rejoice you haf von. Bud no 

more vill I schicker men und schicker myself. I 

vill nod be ashamed before my Becky. 
Magee. Why, me lad — 
David. I haf seen vhat I vas becomin'. I vish you 

goodbye. [He makes a deep, flourishing bow and 

turns to the door.] 
Magee. [Winking at Tom'] Wasn't it you tole me about 

the nice, little flat ye had — three rooms an' a kitchen ? 
David. Ah, so schon. 

Magee. Didn't ye say it cost ye $3.00 a week? 
David. Id is cheap at dat. 
Magee. Well, how're ye goin' to pay yer rent out o' 

$7.00 a week — even if ye keep yer job. [He says 

the last ominously. Cathleen goes to Tom plead- 

ingly.] 
David. [Helplessly] Dat's so. 
Magee. An' the green plush parlor set in McCurdy's 

window ? 
David. Id is lofely — so shiny — 
Magee. [With finality] Well. 
David. Vone cannod lif vidoud some lofely tings. . . 

[109] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. Think it over. An' while ye're thinkin', go tell 
some o' me flock that they want to congratulate me. 
But ye must make 'em believe it's their idee. Tell 
the boys to let ye handle the job — ye've got Roosian 
diplomacy. 

David. [Pleased] Ve Russians haf diplomacy. 

Magee. Well, here's a good job for ye — a chance to 
make good. 

Cathleen. David, Becky — 

David. Oh, yes — I haf promised. I vill bid you good- 
bye. 

Magee. She'd hate like hell to have to live in one room. 
[A pause.] 

David. I vill do your bidding. [He goes.] 

Tom. [Musing] He'll be like Flynn an' Gans an' all 
the others. . . 

Cathleen. Tom — help me — help me to save him. 
Think of what he will grow to be — an' all those 
in the past — an' those who are to come — with their 
fresh gratitude frozen into — horror. 

Tom. i I am thinkin'. . . . 

Magee. [He has been at the telephone] He's a new 
hand. Ye'd better go out, Tom, an' help the boys 
git excited. 

Tom. Yes — yes — There's time, Boss — 

Magee. [Rubbing his hands] In politics, me boy, there's 
time fer nothin'. It's prize fightin' — politics is — an' 
ye've got to have yer punch ready all the time. 

[ HO] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

That's why little girls ain't very strong at the game. 

Ha, ha. [Jennings enters, with a swagger. He is 

"cocky."] 
Jennings. Howd'ye. 
Magee. Hel-/o. 
Tom. Evenin', Jennings. 
Jennings. [Sitting and crossing his legs] I jist dropped 

in to tell ye I'm trough wid ye, Mr. Magee. 

[Cathie en stares at him — his assurance is comic. ] 
Magee. [Amazed] Huh? 
Jennings. Keep cool — keep cool — 
Magee. [Fiercely] What — 
Jennings. I ain't easy scared now. Ye see, I'm yer 

ekal. 
Magee. [Impatiently] What the devil are ye gassin' 

about ? 
Jennings. [Lighting a clay pipe with a flourish] I've 

crawled out from under yer thumb. 
Magee. [Grinning] Ye look like ye'd been mashed. 
Jennings. [With just a suggestion of anger] You 

ain't got no more hold on me. The interest is paid — 

an' the mortgage itself is paid ! [He waits for the 

effect. No one shows any particular excitement. 

That dampens him. When he continues there is 

resentment in his voice] The farm is mine — it's 

paid for. An' I'm trough wid folks as treat ye like 

dogs. I'm trough wid ye, Mr. Magee. [He settles 

in his chair. A pause.] 

[mi 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. [Genially] Well, I don't give a damn. 

Jennings. [Angry because his sensation is taken 
calmly] I wash my hands of the whole dirty lot o* 
ye. You an' yer gang can go to hell. [He snaps 
his fingers.] 

Magee. Well, old sport, if ye've had yer say maybe 
ye'll vacate the premises. 

Jennings. "[Rising and taking a step or two with a 
swagger] Jist dropped in to express me sadness at 
yer hard luck — too bad yer down an' out — 

Magee. [Winking at Tom] Don't rub it in, Jennings. 

Jennings. [Grinning] Too bad I couldn't see me way 
clear to vote fer ye. [He laughs loudly — tilts his 
hat on one side. Then, seeing Cathleen, he removes 
it] Beg pardon, Miss. [Rubbing his hands] Felt 
it me duty — the duty of a sovren voter — free citi- 
zen — [He laughs loudly again.] 

Magee. How dare ye — 

Jennings. [Snapping his fingers again] Ye can't scare 
me no more. I'm free — free — don't owe ye nothin'. 
[Magee looks at him curiously] Free! 

Magee. Who lent ye the money, Jennings? 

Jennings. Them is decent people I borrowed from. 

Magee. So — o — o ? 

Jennings. They ain't fer squeezin' the life out o' a 
pore man, they ain't. 

Tom. Did they let you have the money on easy terms? 

Jennings. They knows how much I can save outer me 

[112] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

salary — an' they'll let me pay it off that away. [In- 
solently] There's somethin' in dealin' wid gentle- 
men. 

Magee. Must be pretty sure of yer job. 

Jennings. [Swaggering] Thirty year I been with the 
company. 

Magee. The Argus Buildin' an' Loan 'Sociation con- 
trols the buildin' where ye work, I believe? 

Jennings. An' fine, straight people they are, too. My 
kind. 

Magee. Yes — fine, straight people. Me boy here, Tom 
Foley, owns a pretty big hunk o' Argus stock. 

Cathleen. Oh. [There is a slight pause. Magee 
smiles. Jennings's assurance vanishes — he seems to 
grow feeble. It is difficult for him to believe that 
again he's been trapped.] 

Jennings. Owns — Argus — stock — ? 

Magee. [Relighting his cigar] Quite a bunch of it. 
[Jennings looks wearily from Magee to Tom and 
back again] Might find it hard to keep the farm 
if ye lost yer job, eh? [Jennings sinks into a chair.} 

Jennings. [Mumbling] Lose — me — job. . . 

Magee. [With finality] Tom, ye'd better make a note 
— new janitor for the Aberville. Give the place to 
Edwards. [Tom does not move.] 

Jennings. [Weakly] No — no — 

Magee. Ye see, me man, ye can't run up against Dan 
Magee without gittin' yer head smashed. [Magee 

[113] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

throws away his dead cigar — selects another and 
lights it. Then as he blows out the match] Smashed. 
[Several times Cathleen has started to interfere, 
but each time she has glanced at Tom and decided 
to wait."] 

Jennings. [To Tom] Is — that — straight? [Tom nods] 
Ye can — have me — fired? [Tom looks away] Will 
ye ? [ Tom lowers his head. Cathleen restrains her- 
self with difficulty. Jennings rises and extends his 
trembling hand] Will ye ? [He waits for an answer 
— there is none] Ye will — ye will — an' the farm's 
gone — an' me job, too. . . [Magee sitting in the 
swivel chair, leans back and smokes leisurely. 
Cathleen crosses and pushes Jennings gently into a 
chair. When Jennings speaks he addresses Tom. 
He speaks simply, quietly, without hysteria or the- 
atricality.] 

Jennings. When I was your age I was agoin' to boss 
the world. I had red cheeks an' they was fat — too — 
though ye couldn't tell it now. They wasn't nothin' 
I wasn't agoin' to do — [Looking up at Cathleen] All 
boys is that away — they don't never think they can 
git old — like me. I allers turned up me nose at ole 
folks — I was that proud. An' then when I beat 
Jim Waters out wid Sue, / tell you I could a licked 
lions. [Chuckling] Sue an' me hit it off great. She 
ain't the spendin' kind what wants a man to buy 
her the whole shebang — she never was. She started 

[114] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

right in to save — Sue did — an' all the time we'd 
say "Nex' year we'll leap — we'll take a chanct an' 
branch out." [Shaking his head sadly] But some- 
how nex' year never found us quite ready. An' so 
we went on. . . 

Cathleen. It never does find one ready. . . 

Jennings. It didn't make no difference — we was 
young — an' when yer young ye think ye can do 
anything. But when I seen some o' these here gray 
hairs — an' found out I wasn't as spry as I ust ter 
be — we got afraid. Ye don't know — Ye don't 
know — that kind o' fear. . . . [There is a pause. 
Magee has ceased smoking and is leaning forward 
listening; Cathleen smiles to keep from crying; 
Tom is ashamed to look up~\ That's why we bought 
the farm — 'cause we was afraid. "What's savin's 
f er ?" Sue says, " 'cept f er ole age — an' we'll buy 
the farm against our ole age." We've been payin' 
on it ever since — all we could scrape an' save — 
years o' scrapin' an' savin' it's took — an' we didn't 
never seem to owe no less. But it was gittin' to 
be our'n — we was gittin' it. An' now — [He jumps 
up. Cathleen pushes him into the chair very gently. 
He grows tremblingly excited] Now they'll take it 
away — the farm an' all the years an' all the scrimpin' 
me an' Sue has put into it — God A'mighty, all them 
years ! [Magee blows his nose. Jennings has a 
flare of weak anger] I wouldn't kick if they 1 was 

[115] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

any reason why I oughter lose me job — I ain't a 
crybaby. I'll take me medicin'. But they ain't no 
reason — I allers worked hard an' was honest. That's 
why he's sore — [pointing to Magee] 'cause I'm 
honest. [Jumping up again only to be restrained 
again] They ain't no reason to fire me. [With a 
sudden change that shows his age pitifully] Where's 
a ole man like me to git another job when there's 
strong men ready to take 'em all? What'ud there 
be left fer me an' Sue to do? [Becoming limp] 
They ain't no place in this world fer ole folks — no 
place fer ole folks. . . [He mumbles and then his 
voice dies out. Cathleen strokes his hair slowly. 
Tom dares not look up. Magee has been affected — 
but when he speaks his voice seems to saw.] 

Magee. Ye'd better go home, now. 

Jennings. Mr. Magee — 

Magee. Ye came here to rub it in. 

Jennings. An ole man — 

Magee. I been too soft on all o' ye— that's what's the 
matter. Well, I'm goin' to begin makin' examples — 

Jennings. If ye'd on'y — 

Magee. Nothin' doin'. 

Jennings. My little vote couldn't hurt ye — 

Magee. Ye tried to cut me throat. I'll learn the whole 
lot o' ye who yer foolin' with. Kindness don't 
go with your kind. [Peremptorily] Tell him he's 

[116] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

fired, Tom. [He turns away. Cathleen looks hard 

at Tom — Tom does not lift his head.] 
Tom. [Very quietly] I — I can't tell him that. 
Magee. [Wheeling] Why not? 
Tom. Because he is not goin' to be fired. 

Cathleen. Ah — h — h 

Magee. What ! 

Tom. Why, Boss, it ain't in you to fire that old man 

after the story he's just told us, 
Magee. Ye'll do the firin'. 
Tom. Why, he'd starve. 
Magee. I've ordered ye — Do what I say. 
Tom. The stock belongs to me. 
Magee. Who give it to ye? 
Tom. I've worked for it. An' I'm ashamed now of the 

way I worked for it. 
Cathleen. You see — at last! 

Magee. Are ye goin' to do what I tell ye or are ye not ? 
Tom. I am not. 
Cathleen. [Joyously] Tom! 
Magee. I'll force ye. 
Tom. [Speaking hotly for the first time] Force is a 

strong word. 
Magee. [Going towards Cathleen] You done this. 
Tom. A moment ago I almost lost her — because I 

wouldn't break with you. But I know now her's is 

the way I must go. 

[117] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Magee. Ye'll stay here — an' ye'll do me will or I'll 

starve ye. D'ye hear — I'll starve ye. 
Tom. Remember I was raised on the streets — an' what 

nerve the streets didn't give me, politics did. So I 

think I'll risk it. 
Magee. It ain't so easy as ye think to git away from 

me. I'll show ye a thing or two. 
Tom. I've discovered a thing or two in the last few 

minutes. An' one of 'em is that I don't owe you 

gratitude for trying to make me what you are. 
Magee. [With both contempt and anger] You that I 

spent ten years of me life on — showin' ye how to 

make good — 
Tom. I've decided I don't want to make good that way. 

Jennings shall keep his job. I don't think it's smart 

any more to strangle an old man because he might 

dare to be free. That's over. I've made the choice, 

Cathleen. 
Magee. Is this straight? 
Tom. Straight. 
Magee. Damn ye — [He strikes at Tom — Tom avoids 

the blow and pinions his arms.'] 
Tom. We part company now, Boss — now. 
Magee. Git out — ye — traitor. 
Tom. [Releasing him] You'd better go, Jennings. 

[The old man totters across to Tom — stops — tries 

to speak but the words won't come. He sobs — a 

dry sob — looks adoringly into Tom's face — and 

[118] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

stumbles out. When he has gone a silence falls.. 
Tom fidgets — seems unable to reach a decision.. 
Finally he approaches Magee.] 

Tom. It had to happen — sooner or later. 

Magee. [His voice breaks] I don't never want — to see — 
ye — again. 

Tom. After all, my life is my life. It's not only my 
right — it's my duty to see it through in my own 
way. 

Magee. The kindness I've showed ye — 

Tom. [With an effort] I know — an' it's been great 
kindness, too. But, Boss, I'll have to pay if I mis- 
use my life. That gives me the right to choose how 
to use it. 

Cathleen. That's the final argument for freedom,. 
Uncle Dan. If we must bear the punishment for 
crime we must be allowed to decide for ourselves 
whether we will go in for virtue or vice. 

Magee. Oh, ain't they nothin' in the world to hold 
on to? [Alice comes in with Mary.] 

Alice. [Looking from one to the other] Ugh! Shall 
I wear mourning? 

Tom. You must rejoice. Cathleen an' I are to be mar- 
ried in the mornin'. 

Cathleen. In the mornin'? 

Tom. Tomorrow at ten. 

Cathleen. [She goes to him] I'm glad you're so — so 
masterful. 

[119] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Tom. Not masterful. 

Cathleen. I want you to be that. Only — can't we 
postpone the wedding? 

Tom. Why should we? 

Cathleen. It will fix me so — 

Tom. Fix you? 

Cathleen. Oh, well — it doesn't matter. 

Tom. What da you mean by "fix," dear? 

Cathleen. Why, I mean that marryin' you — fixes me 
in America forever. . . [She laughs, but the laugh 
is curiously like a sob] What was it the great Pope 
said? "I have loved justice an' I have hated in- 
iquity, therefore I die in exile." . . 

Tom. Not exile with us — home — 

Cathleen. Perhaps like Dierdre an' Naisi, dearest, 
we'll pitch our tent an' find Heaven — everywhere. 

Mary. [Loudly] Why is you cwyin'? [Tom and 
Cathleen turn to find Alice wiping her eyes. Magee 
is gazing out the window.] 

Cathleen. Come with us, Alice. 

Magee. [In terror, wheeling] Alice — 

Cathleen. You think we're right. Come, work with 
us. [Alice smiles and shakes her head. She has 
been looking hard at Magee.] 

Alice. I'm fixed — frozen. Doing things is beyond me 
now. That's the wage of the negative. 

Cathleen. [Enthusiastically] We'll show you how. 

Magee. [His voice breaks] Alice — Tom is goin' away. 

[120] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Ye — won't leave me, too — alone — [His pain is 
written on his face. Alice considers well before 
speaking.] 

Alice, I can't leave him alone. It's not as though you 
were wilfully wicked, Dan. Change is hard for 
you, too. [Smiling grimly'] Perhaps, we've both 
come to love our lovelessness. [To Cathleen] He's 
been good to me, Cathleen, in his way — kind and 
generous and gentle through all these years that I 
have stood holily aloof. And now — someone has 
to look after his house. 

Cathleen. Soon he, too, will join us — 

Tom. [Pleading] Will you, Boss? 

Alice. [Shakes her head] Maybe what he is, is my 
fault. If I'd fought for him as you did for Tom — 
if I'd fought with him and for him — he might be 
different. 

Tom. The Boss makes these people^but they make 
him too. He's merely an expression of them. 

Alice. Oh, Tom, you're lucky — you'll be different. 

Cathleen. Alice, you won't come? 

Alice. I'll stay here. I didn't try to get you out of it, 
Dan, so I'll see you through. [Magee is dulled. A 
pause. Alice shrugs and crosses] No — I'll hang 
around and cling to my little vanities — and spend 
your money — and — and at least you'll know there's 
a human being in your house. 

Magee. [Approaching her slowly] Alice, ye mean 

[121 ] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

more'n yer sayin' — ye've come to me at last — in me 
hour of victory — an' defeat. 

Alice. [Waving him back] Things must be as they 
have been these ten years — we must go on and on 
in dull monotony. . . [David bursts into the room.] 

David. I'fe done id. Und all by my lonesome. [Slang 
from him is ludicrously jarring] Hurry — hurry- 
he's chust goin' oud. [He winks at Magee over his 
shoulder] Come on. [He waves madly into the hall. 
A crowd enters — many of the people from the de- 
stroyed tenement. Becky, looking miserable, hovers 
on the edge. The crowd reaches into the hall. It 
is jovial, good-humored. The children, with glad 
cries, run to Cathleen, hang to her skirts, laugh and 
chatter. Such phrases as "I seen her first" "I did" 
"She's mine" "Mine," "Ain't oo mine, Miss Caf- 
leen?" and the like — they speak together as they 
push and shove for the favorite places. The affec- 
tion of the women for Cathleen is noticeable. Mean- 
while the men, mustered by the officious David and 
the jealous Flynn, form into a rough line and con- 
gratulate Magee. They say: "Good work," "You 
fer mine," "We put de rollers under dem guys 
agin," "Glad ye done it," "I was bettin' on Dan 
Magee," "Ain't nothin' kin lick you," "Put it there" 
etc.] 

Flynn. [To David] Say, if youse runnin' dis uprisin' — 
git some life in it. 

[122] 






THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

David. Vat s'all I do? 

Flynn. Make some noise. 

David. A'righd, boys, make some noises. Tree cheers 
fer Dan Magee. Von — two — tree. [They cheer. 
David whispers to several men] Make it dat he 
s'all speak. [Cries of "speech — speech." Magee 
modestly declines. The cries grow more insistent.'} 

Magee. [Raising his hand for silence] Me friends — 
for ye are me friends — everyone o' ye — [cheers'] I 
thank ye. An' I've jist got this to say: What is 
a friend? A friend is a man that'll help ye when 
ye're in trouble. Well, that's me. [Vociferous 
cheers. David yells till his face grows red] When 
ye're in trouble come to Dan Magee — same as ye've 
always done. [Cries of "He's alters stood by us" 
"Won't we, though!" and the like] I ain't no dec- 
oration — I'm the servant o' the people — elected by 
the people to serve the people. 

A Man. [Excited — emphatic] He's O. K. 

Another. Betcher life — ay — ay — ay — 

Magee. All I do is to speak for ye — tell 'em what ye 
want. An' I know what ye want because I want 
the same things. 

A Man. Sure thing — yer our voice. 

Magee. [Glancing at Cathleen, who stands surrounded 
by children and women. He looks at Tom — reaches 
a determination. His jaws snap — he takes a step 
forward] They ain't no closin' hour in this here 

[123] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

shop — we're open fer business all the time — an' it's 
your business an' I'm here to do it. [Cheers — hearty 
and loud. He looks again at Cathie en— moves for- 
ward another step— jabs his hands into his pockets] 
I believe in gratitude — I've had too much o' the 
other thing in me own house not to believe in it. 
[There are whispers, nudges, craning of necks. 
Magee leans over in his excitement] Ye've seen the 
sad sight o' the gal I spent me money on an' me 
love on — she's wearin' me finery now — ye've seen 
her turn agin me. An' soon ye'll see the sadder 
sight o' the lad I lifted from the streets an' took 
to me breast — ye'll see him bite the hand that fed 
him. [There are hisses, cries of "Shame" "traitor." 
The crowd surges forward] They're goin' to fight 
me — them two. They think they can lick Dan 
Magee. They want to stab me in the back. But 
we'll put a crimp in 'em — we'll show 'em — [His 
voice is lost in the uproar.] 

Flynn. [Striding forward] Down wid de scabs. 

Cans. Ay, down wid 'em. [That lights the fuse. The 
mob surges forward.] 

Magee. Show 'em now how we treat scabs. Show 
'em. [And the mob explodes. As it gets to Tom — 
the mob lust for destruction urging it on — Cathleen 
jumps in front of Tom. Alice prevents Magee from 
pulling her away.] 

Cathleen. Don't you touch him. Fools — ignorant 

[ 124 1 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

fools. If you weren't stupid you'd know that the 
finery he gave me was bought with tribute squeezed 
from you. [A man seizes her arm — she wrenches 
it loose, and with the other keeps Tom back'] An' 
that's how me learnin' was bought, too. Yqu paid 
for me education. Well, that education you bought 
shall liberate you. [Derisive cries of "How? — 
How?" "Git out o de way — " "Let's git, him, boys," 
"Talk United States"} I'll tell you how. Tom Foley 
an' I are to be married in the mornin' — [the women 
find time to nod appreciatively. The children are 
with Cathleen, facing their parents] an' we're goin' 
to start at the very bottom. I'm goin' to teach your 
children in the kindergartens — -show them what 
freedom is. [Someone yells: "Rot — Cut de gaff"] 
An' I'm goin' to know every one of you women an' 
I'll make you see how you are bein' robbed an' 
chained. [The men resent this.] 

Magee. Shut up. [Alice holds him.] 

Cathleen. An' my husband will show the men. An' 
those that see will make others see. [As she ap- 
proaches her climax the crowd changes from anger 
to resentment, to surliness, to interest, to receptivity. 
Magee, noticing the change tries to win back his 
advantage.] 

Magee. Let's git 'em, boys. [A few push forward but 
most sh — sh — sh.] 

A Man. Cut it — let's hear her. 

[125] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. In the course o' time he an' I shall liberate 
souls from our own bodies — [the women gasp at 
her baldness] an* as the children caper an' dance 
an' are happy that they are alive — just like your 
own babies here — they will teach their friends free- 
dom. [As the crowd grows quiet Tom's belligerant 
attitude melts — he stands behind Cathleen, his arms 
about two children, playing absently with their curls] 
An' so from this District to other Districts an' to 
others — till all the Western World shall strike down 
these gadflies an' be free. 

Magee. [Madly angry] Stop it — Hush — 

Cathleen. For free you shall be — I'll make you free 
in spite of yourselves. 

Magee. Damn ye — I'll — 

A Waggish Youth. How're ye goin* to do dat, 
Missie ? 

All. Sh — sh — sh — 

Cathleen. Somethin' for nothin' is not my motto. 
You shall have what you have bought — yes, an' you 
shall give my husband an' me a receipt — you shall 
write the receipt at the polls. I accept no charity. 
I'll give you what you've paid for whether you want 
it or not — whether you want it or not. . . [There 
is profound silence. Then in subdued tones people 
explain to each other what she meant.] 

A Woman. [To a deaf woman] She's goin' to pay — 
pay— 

[126] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

The Deaf Woman. Pay money? 

The Woman. No — No money. 

The Deaf Woman. What then? [The murmur of 
appreciation rises as Cathleen's meaning soaks in.] 

Magee. [In a desperate effort'} See here, me friends— 

A Youth. Dat's de truth, Miss. 

Magee. She called ye fools — 

A Man. I guess we are. 

Magee. Ignorant — 

Another Man. Come on, folks. 

A Woman. Aye — let's go home. [Cathleen nods dis- 
missal.'] 

Magee. Hold on — [But they don't stop.] 

A Youth. [Flippantly] See ye later. [Several laugh.] 

Becky. David, my lof, come home. 

David. Soon — I come. 

Becky. Now — now — [He shakes his head] vid me — 

David. I vill nod be — henpecked. 

Becky. My lof — 

David. [With harsh command] Vaid oud dere. [A 
look of startled anguish comes into her face. She 
crosses her hands in silent misery and goes.] 

Magee. Ye messed this. 

David. Id vas nod my fault. 

Magee. Wasn't ye runnin' it? 

David. [Humbly] I do better nexd time. 

Magee. Well, see that ye do if ye want to keep workin' 
fer me. [David slinks out. Cathleen has been try- 

[127] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

ing to induce the children to leave her. She has 
to take them to their parents at the door. A man 
who has cheered Cathleen loudly, lingers and pulls 
Magee' s sleeve.] 

The Man. [Whispering"] Now dat de shoutin's over — 
what d'ye say about dat little favor? 

Magee. [His assurance returns — here is the old, brutal, 
elemental fact that conquers all the oratory in the 
world] Oh — h — Ye ain't followin' the gas wagon, 
then ? 

The Man. Say, what d'ye take me fer, anyway. 

Magee. [Patting his back] I'll fix ye up a'right, Healy. 
[The man goes.] 

Cathleen. Mary, dear, put on your coat. [Tom as- 
sists her and then buttons his own. The telephone 
rings.] 

Magee. Well? Sure. Oh, Harrigan. Thanks. Ye— es 
— I'll see to it. Don't ye worry, Harrigan. So 
long. [To Cathleen] I give 'em what they have to 
have. 

Cathleen. Mary, say goodbye. [Mary kisses Alice- 
offers her hand to Magee. He pats her cheek.] 

Magee. Well— ain't we putty. Here's somethin' for 
ye. [He selects a penny from a handful of change 
and gives it to her.] 

Cathleen. Mary, give the penny back. 

Mary. I wants some candy. 

[128] 



THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE 

Cathleen. Here's a nice silk rose — it won't wilt. Now 

give the penny back. 
Mary. [Holding one gift in each hand] I wants a 

sucker so bad, Aunt Cafleen. 
Cathleen. The flower is red like the sun, dear. 
Mary. No— no — I don't want dat [She throws the 

flower down] I wants a sucker — a white sucker. 

[She goes to Magee~\ Can't I keep it? [Alice is 

gazing out the windows.] 
Magee. Sure, ye'll keep it. 
Mary. [Dancing] Oh — oh — oh — I wants to kiss you. 

[She throws her arms and legs about him] I'll tell 

my mama an' my papa about de nice, good man dat 

gives me pennies. 
Magee. [Smiling at Cathleen triumphantly over JkfaryV 

shoulder] Ye think ye'll beat me. 
Cathleen. [Near the door] Ah, Tommie, it's a long; 

work we've set ourselves. . . . 

THE END. 



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